The importance of safeguarding for NFs

In our latest podcast interview, we spoke to safeguarding expert Nicola Bithell about the role of NFs in implementing safeguarding in sport.

Nicola is head of safeguarding at Accrington Stanley Women FC, which competes in English football’s North West Women’s Regional League, but the majority of her experience has been gained from her police career, in which she has led departments that investigated high-profile and position of trust abuse.

She also chairs multi-agency public protection arrangements managing high-risk perpetrators coming out of prison into the community.

Some members of the biathlon family might believe that the sport does not have a problem with abuse, but, referring to a recent survey of over 10,000 respondents from sports across a range of European countries, Nicola argued that no sport is immune.

Among other statistics, the survey found that in their sports:

·         65% of respondents had suffered psychological abuse

·         44% had suffered physical abuse

·         20% had suffered contact sexual abuse.

These figures are “absolutely startling,” Nicola said, going on to discuss what measures National Federations can and should take to ensure stamp out abuse – both for their own sakes and, more importantly, for the safety of their athletes.

To listen to the interview, click here.