Advice for Young People
This information is adapted from the CPSU website.
Sport is fun - it gives you the opportunity to make new friends, try out new activities and amaze yourself with what you can do!
But for a few children the fun is spoilt by adults who do or say things during sporting activities or at other times that hurt or frighten them. What these children are experiencing may be abuse. And they may feel they have no one to talk to about it. Or that no one will listen to them or believe what they say.
If you think that you may be being abused, or are worried that it might be happening to a friend, it is really important that you tell someone so that they can help you:
- Tell an adult you trust as soon as possible. This could be: a parent or someone else in your family; another member of staff at the sports club; a teacher or school counsellor; your doctor or school nurse.
- Contact ChildLine on 0800 1111. This is a free, 24-hour helpline for children and young people in the UK. You can call about any problem, at any time - day or night. You can also look at their website www.childline.org.uk.
- Your club will have a child protection officer. Find out who they are and tell them about your worries.
- Make sure you are not alone again with the person who has tried to harm you.