British Wrestling are always looking for ways to improve and promote safeguarding within the sport.
The Department for Education has launched the second phase of their ‘Together, we can tackle child abuse’ campaign
We all have a role to play in protecting children and young people from child abuse and neglect.
Many people do not act because they’re worried about being wrong.
You don’t have to be absolutely certain about your suspicions; if you’re concerned a child is being abused or their safety is at risk, speak to someone.
Signs of child abuse or neglect:
Look out for changes in:
- Appearance: Unexplained injuries, cuts or bruises or consistently poor hygiene.
- Behaviour: such as demanding or aggressive behaviour, frequent lateness or absence from school. Being constantly tired.
- Communication: such as talking aggressively, self harming or becoming secretive and withdrawn.
If you suspect something, tell someone:
- Some people prefer to talk to their partner, a family member or a friend before they make a report, and that is perfectly fine.
- Find the contact details of your local children’s social care team (Local Authority) to report your concern.
- Alternatively, if you are worried about a child’s immediate safety, contact the police by dialling 999.
What to do if you suspect child abuse
If you think a child is being abused of neglected, or you think their safety is at risk, then it is important to tell someone. You don’t have to be absolutely certain about whether a child is being abused. If you have a feeling that something’s not right, talk to your local children’s social care team who will look into it.
Visit gov.uk/tacklechildabuse to get the number to report your concern to your local children’s care team.
Or if you’re worried about a child’s immediate safety, contact the police by calling 999.
Child Abuse. If you think it, report it.
Anything you notice can help a child at risk.
Visit gov.uk/tacklechildabuse to find out how.
What happens once you make a report?
Here’s the 4-step process:
- Listening
When you call your local children’s social care, your concern will be listened to and assessed
- Information Gathering
Information is usually gathered from many sources, and your report would form one part of a bigger picture
- Assessing
If concerns are raided about a child, a social worker will make an assessment and decide what support to provide
- Deciding
It may be that the concerns are unfounded and that no further action is necessary, although all concerns are taken seriously.
Child Abuse. If you think it, report it.
Anything you notice can help a child at risk.
Visit gov.uk/tacklechildabuse to find out how
Spotting the signs
If you think a child is being abused or you think their safety is at risk, then it is important to tell someone.
These are some potential signs of abuse and neglect.
- Frequent unexplained injuries
- Consistently poor hygiene
- Becoming unusually secretive and reluctant to share information
- Unexplained gifts or possessions
- A parent regularly collecting children from school when drunk / on drugs
- Demanding or aggressive behaviour
- Frequent lateness or absence from school
- Avoiding their own family
- A young person misusing drugs or alcohol
- A child being constantly tired
- Sexual or aggressive language
- Self-harming
- Being overly obedient
You don’t have to be absolutely certain about whether a child is being abused. If you have a feeling that something’s not right, talk to your local children’s social care team who will look into it.
These are all signs of potential abuse or neglect.
Child Abuse. If you think it, report it.
Anything you notice can help a child at risk.
Visit gov.uk/tacklechildabuse to find out how.
For more information on how you can help safeguard wrestling you can visit British Wrestling’s safeguarding section of the website here.
