Safeguarding Obligations in Sport - Lessons Learned

Introduction

In 2021, the Independent Review into Child Sexual Abuse in Football 1970-2005 concluded that there were ‘significant institutional failings’ by the Football Association to keep children safe.

Additionally, internationally, in 2020 it was announced that a dedicated international safeguarding officer in sport certificate is to be established by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following revelations of abuse scandals across sport in recent years.

For those advising clubs, players, athletes, governing bodies and investigating bodies there needs to not only be an appreciation of the domestic framework around safeguarding children and adults at risk, but increasingly the international perspective.

The findings at Gymnastics Australia and the Larry Nassar scandal in the United States are likely to act as a catalyst for change not only in gymnastics but in the wider sporting world. Those involved in sports law and governance will be expected to have a thorough understanding of keeping children and adults at risk of abuse safe whilst participating in sport.

This webinar will gather together learning from the international context and provide an opportunity for sports lawyers, safeguarding professionals and regulators to reflect on their current practice and learn how to apply lessons learnt to their own domestic practice.

What You Will Learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• Refresher on the basics of safeguarding children and adults at risk
• Drawing together the lessons of recent years, what themes arise from those cases which have featured in the media
• FIFA and IOC Safe Sport, the new approaches and developments
• The role of statutory bodies in safeguarding in sport in England and Wales
• Key aspects of Sports Resolution’s new safeguarding Investigation Guide and templates
• The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its application to persons with disability and their participation in sport

This webinar was recorded on 15th February 2022