Speak Up Be Safe for Athletes

Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe for Athletes

The Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe for Athletes prevention education initiative exists to promote the safe physical, emotional, educational and spiritual development of youth athletes. The program is designed to teach children and also to aid coaches, educators and parents in providing secure environments where children can reach their ultimate potential.

“Rumors may be kept initially among themselves at pool or trackside, but hints or comments that are overheard should raise suspicion. It is easy to dismiss these as idle gossip, and indeed at times this may seem the easier option, but we have a duty to listen and report any concern.”

-D. MacAuley “Child Abuse in Sports” The British Journal of Sports Medicine

Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe for Athletes strives to prevent abuse in sport-related activities. Below are a few statistics that demonstrate just how serious this issue is.

Abuse occurs in all sports.
Studies indicate 40% to 50% of athletes have experienced anything from mild harassment to severe abuse.
Research suggests that sexual abuse in sports impacts between 2% to 8% of all athletes.
90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way.
Indicators of possible abuse in sports include (but are not limited to): missing practices, illness, loss of interest, withdrawal and a child performing significantly below his/her abilities.
Child abuse occurs at every socio-economic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education. When people think “not in our school’s athletic program; not in this religious league; not amongst my people; and not on a team in this neighborhood” they contribute to a culture of denial where predators are protected.

“ The cultural diversity reflected in the slides and curriculum was extremely helpful in having the children identify and ‘see’ themselves reflected in the materials. Excellent!” ”

IB, Virgina

Prevention education is the key to ending child abuse.

Research-Based, Evidence Informed

The content and delivery of all Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe lessons is based on best practices from research in child development, learning styles, social psychology, and child abuse and neglect prevention.

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Ecological Approach

With materials and support for facilitators, teachers, parents, school administrators, and community members, Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe helps children build a responsive safety network with the safe adults in their lives.

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Comprehensive Pre-K – 12 Curriculum

Developmentally-appropriate lessons at each grade level focus on the risks children at that age might encounter, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, and cyberbullying.

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Contact

For more information and to schedule a Speak Up Be Safe for Athletes presentation contact:

Lisa Ciolli, Prevention Outreach Coordinator
Childhelp National Headquarters
Phone: 480-922-8212
Email: LCiolli@Childhelp.org
4350 East Camelback Road, Building F250 | Phoenix, AZ 85018

Downloadable Resources

Sources:

Cense, M., & Brackenridge, C.H. (2001). Temporal and developmental risk factors for sexual harassment and abuse in sport. European Physical Education Review, 7(1), 61-79.

Fasting, K., Brackenridge, C.H. and Sundgot-Borgen, J. (2003). Experiences of sexual harassment and abuse amongst Norwegian elite female athletes and non-athletes. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 74(1): 74-97.

MacAuley, D. (1996). Child Abuse in Sport. The British Journal of Sports Medicine, 30:275-276.

MacGregor, M. (1998). Harassment and abuse in sport and recreation. CAHPERD Journal.

Parent, S. (2010). Disclosure of Sexual Abuse in Sport Organization: A Case Study. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. London: Routledge.