Sexual Safety in Youth Sports: Tips for Talking

This article offers concrete information on what parents can do and talk about with children to keep them safe from sexual harm while participating in sports. It is motivated by recent publicity surrounding cases of sexual abuse by coaches, which has prompted athletic associations and governing bodies to focus on creating greater sexual safety for their youth athletes. With this in mind, the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) approached the United States (US)-based organisation Stop It Now! to address the issue in its magazine, Club Running. The article includes talking tips for parents, including:

• Talk about who sexually abuses children - "90% of the time, children are sexually abused by someone they know."
• Talk about and help them recognise "concerning behaviors" - "Talk about why it's important to tell a safe adult if anyone's behavior makes the child uncomfortable."
• Talk about boundaries - "People who sexually abuse kids may disrespect or ignore a kid's personal space or tease or belittle them when the kid tries to set a limit....Ask your child to talk with you or a safe adult if this happens to them or to a friend."
• Talk about inappropriate behaviour between adults and children/youth - "People who sexually abuse kids can be more focused on relationships with kids than with other adults. They may turn to a child for emotional or physical comfort or share personal or private information or activities with a child or treat the child more like a peer....Ask your child or teen to tell you or another safe adult if this happens to them or a friend."
• Talk about how someone creates opportunities to sexually abuse children - "People who abuse kids often first build a relationship with the kid. They may 'test' the child to see how they react to different situations....Talk with your child about these 'tricks' and how, because they've enjoyed the extra privileges or attention, it can be harder for them to tell a safe adult."
• Talk about why it is important to tell a safe adult - "Anticipate and talk with your child about how someone might discourage them from talking to a safe adult."
• Talk about and help children and youth identify "safe adults" - "Ask your child whom they would talk to if they had a concern or were worried about something and you weren't available or they weren't comfortable talking with you about this."
• Speak up when you see or experience "concerning behaviors" - "If a child tells you about someone touching them or asking them to touch them in a sexual way or showing them sexually explicit photos, report it. In most cases, start by calling your local police. Don't feel you need to have proof."

In her introduction to the Club Running issue in which this article appeared, RRCA Executive Director Jean Knaack highlights the importance of parents taking proactive steps to prevent abuse: "Please take time to read the article. Then talk with your kids, other adults in your running community, and local youth running coaches about creating and maintaining safe training environments for kids."