Towards the Development of National Child Protection Guidelines in Sport: The Trinidad & Tobago Experience Presented by Gabre-Jesu McTair OECS and UNICEF Safe Guarding Children in Sports Workshop Antigua & Barbuda 24 th -25 th February, 2014

The Importance of Safe Guarding Children in Sport “Every child should have the opportunity to take part in sport at all levels in a safe, secure and positive environment. Children have unique capabilities and strengths yet remain vulnerable to being influenced. In sport, where children and youth participation is predominant, child protection becomes everyone’s responsibility.” Source: Sport for Development International Working Group-Policy Brief

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child “States Parties undertake to ensure the child such protection and care as is necessary for his or her well being...”- Article 3.2

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child “States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse…” Article 19.1

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child “States Parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child… States Parties shall…encourage the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activity.” Articles 31.1 and 31.2

Child abuse in sport: a commonplace problem “The biggest mistake people can make is to think that it just doesn’t happen here, that we’re safe” -FBI special agent, Roger Young (1999)

International Models Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) - United Kingdom 2006 Accord for the Protection of Children in Scottish Sport - Scotland Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport/Canadian Red Cross- Violence and Abuse Prevention - Canada “Child Matters” programme - New Zealand Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children - Ireland

CPSU: Safeguarding Standards Standards for Safeguarding and Protecting children in Sport: 1.Policy 2.Procedures and Systems 3.Prevention 4.Codes of Practice and Behaviour 5.Equity

CPSU: Safeguarding Standards 6. Communication 7. Education and Training 8. Access to advice and support 9. Implementation and monitoring 10. Influencing

The Key Stakeholders Government Ministries: (Sport; Health; Education; Gender Youth & Child Development; Social Dev.; Community Dev.; National Security) Children’s Authority Board: NGBs for sport: NGOs: Tertiary Education Institutions: Child/Youth advocates: Policy makers: Both the private and public sectors

The Trinidad & Tobago Experience: ISSUES 1.Defining abuse: physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, coaching methodologies and habits (old school vs conventional) 2.Constitutional Enforcement & Supervision: NGBs, clubs, community sports groups, private sports institutions, schools 3.Statistics/Information on offenses against minors: 4.Sport-related Research:

The Trinidad & Tobago Experience: ISSUES 5.Disclosure: Admission of wrong doing by authorities 6.Stigma: Cultural norms and mores affect reporting of incidences 7.Trust: Coaches are held in high esteem 8.Awareness and Accessibility to information: Good/bad touch; Legislation; Consequences; Reporting process and Response

The Trinidad & Tobago Experience: THE PRESENT 1.Discussion at National and Regional levels 2.Study of Best Practice in Safeguarding 3.Establishment of Children’s Authority of T&T 4.Availability of hotlines for reporting and support 5.Draft of National Child Protection Policy 6.Draft of Child Protection in Sport Policy

The Trinidad & Tobago Experience: THE FUTURE 1.Further stakeholder consultation/workgroups on draft policy 2.Approval of completed Policy through Cabinet 3.Develop a national research agenda 4.Sensitization and Education

The Trinidad & Tobago Experience: THE FUTURE 5.Due diligence on all sport personnel 6.Creation of an accessible Sexual Offenders List/ Database of Criminals 7.Ensuring confidentiality for reporters 8.Amendments to and proclamation of key supportive Legislation 9.Monitoring & Evaluation

LET US PROTECT OUR FUTURE NOW!!!