RESPONDING TO CONCERNS

A. What can Harm look like

The chart below outlines different types of harm children and young people could be exposed to in sport.

• PHYSICAL - Injury is caused by: enivronmental conditions, unsafe equipment +/or facilities, poor technique
• SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, CULTURAL - Emotionl harm when a childrens self-esteem is undermined, social harm damages the relationships that the children have with other children and adults, cultural harm occurs when a child's beliefs or practices are not acknowledged or accepted
• SEXUAL - Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities as well as non-contact acts.
• NEGLECT - Neglect is persistanet failure to meet a childs basci physical +/or pyschological needs, causing long term harm to the child's health or development.  It also may include a neglect of the child's basic or emotionla needs.  Neglect is a lack of action, emotion and basic needs.

B. Signs of Abuse or Neglect

Children and young people can experience abusive situations or be neglected regardless of the socioeconomic, religious, cultural or family group setting they are in. As volunteers in sport we have a duty of care to help keep children safe. Trust your instincts, and don’t just hope that someone else will speak up.

Children often can’t speak up for themselves, and the people involved may be too ashamed, distressed or caught up in the situation to ask for help. You might be the only one that has noticed, so it’s important you:

• talk to the child. Listen to them and let them know you’re there.
• provide encouragement and support. If the child is in immediate danger contact NZ Police.
• link them up with others who can offer the support they need
• talk to someone experienced for ideas, or a different point of view on how to help. The Athletics NZ Child Protection Officer would be a good place to start.
• if the family won’t accept your help, let someone in the community know you’re concerned.

Some of the signs

The following signs may indicate the presence of child abuse or neglect.

The child or young person:

• Shows sudden changes in behaviour or athletic performance
• Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention
• Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
• Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
• Lacks adult supervision
• Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
• Comes to training or competition activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home

The parent or caregiver:

• Shows little concern for the child
• Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child’s problems in school or at home
• Asks coaches or managers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves
• Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome
• Demands a level of physical performance the child cannot achieve
• Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs

Physical Abuse:

• Unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes
• Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from training
• Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home
• Shrinks at the approach of adults
• Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver

Signs of Neglect:

• Frequently absent from training
• Begs or steals food or money
• Lacks needed medical or dental care
• Is consistently dirty and has severe body odour
• Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
• Abuses alcohol or other drugs
• States that there is no one at home to provide care

Sexual Abuse:

• Difficulty walking or sitting
• Suddenly refuses to change for training or to participate in physical activities
• Reports nightmares or bedwetting
• Experiences a sudden change in appetite
• Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behaviour
• Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age 14
• Runs away
• Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult

Emotional Abuse:

• Extremes in behaviour, such as overly compliant or demanding behaviour, extreme passivity, or aggression
• Is either inappropriately adult (parenting other children, for example) or inappropriately infantile (frequently rocking or head-banging, for example)
• Is delayed in physical or emotional development
• Has attempted suicide
• Reports a lack of attachment to the parent

WHEN A CHILD TELLS YOU SOMETHING, ALWAYS THINK

“WHAT IF IT’S RIGHT?” NOT “WHAT IF IT’S WRONG?”

C. Responding to issues of disclosed or suspected abuse

Is the child or young person of concern at immediate risk of harm? If YES, call 111 immediately.

As a volunteer within our sport, it is your responsibility to act on any serious concerns. Where abuse is suspected or reported, the welfare and interests of the child are of first and paramount consideration. The quality of information you share can make the difference to an individual of concern receiving the help they need or not. We recommend you take time to plan the information you will include.

• Ensure the child is safe from immediate harm. We will always believe what a child tells us in the first instance. Ask yourself “what if it’s right, not what if it’s wrong”. If immediate harm is suspected call 111.
• Consult immediately with nominated person-in-charge (for example, if on a trip, consult the overall team manager) or contact Athletics NZ Child Protection Officer if the allegation is against the person-in-charge.
• As soon as possible, record accurately and appropriately the information received using the below recommended Report of Concern format.
• Records should be factual (not opinion or hearsay) and concise. Conversations should be recorded word for word and not paraphrased.
• Consult with others as appropriate – do not work alone. Adhere to privacy guidelines as it pertains to Oranga Tamariki Act.
• Avoid questioning the child beyond what has already been disclosed.
• Do not question or counsel the alleged offender.
• Do not investigate or presume expertise.
• Notify the Athletics New Zealand Child Protection Officer and/or the Chief Executive.

The following is a step by step guide to the actions you should take if abuse is suspected or disclosed.

D. Making a Report of Concern

The following list of information is helpful for Oranga Tamariki or NZ Police to identify a child, young person or adult of concern and also help them get a better understanding of your concerns. The more detail you can provide the more effective your report becomes.

• Name of child or young person
• If known, date of birth or approximate age
• If known, address or place or residence
• If known, contact phone numbers
• Name(s) of any other children in household / whanau group.
• Name(s) of any other adults in the household / whanau group.
• Name(s) of adult you are concerned about and their connection to the child.
• Group attended ie: club, competition, coaching squad, team event.
• What are you concerned about?
• What have you seen or heard?
• Who was present when you noticed something?
• When did it happen?
• What did the child say? Use speech marks.
• What did the adult say or do that concerned you? Use speech marks.
• Is it a one-off incident or always occurring?
• If injury is present or disclosed, provide details of where on the body. Use the attached body map and indicate left and right hand sides.
• Using the child or adult’s own words, record how the injury happened and any other details disclosed. Use speech marks.
• What have you done to safeguard or protect the child?
• Who else is aware of or shares your concerns?
• Have you spoken to the child’s family of your concern(s). If not, detail why. For example fear of child’s or own safety.
• Do the family know you are making a report of concern? If yes, what was their response.
• If you have any reason to believe that a child will be at increased risk or harm as a result of submitting this report of concern, please ensure you highlight this in your report.
• Include your full name and relationship to the child or young person. Also your contact details.

This report should be filed as soon as possible with both a Centre representative and the Athletics NZ Child Protection Officer.

Child Protection Body Map

BODY MAP and highlight areas of harm.

Name of child: ___________________________

Name of reporter: ________________________

Date of birth: ___________________________

Date recorded: __________________________

Observations: