Law changed to prevent sports coaches abusing teens

Sports coaches and faith leaders are now recognised in law as being in "positions of trust" and so are banned from engaging in sexual activity with under 18s in their care.

The new law applies from 28 June 2022 and follows a long-standing campaign by the NSPCC, named Close the Loophole, which is focused on changing the law in this area to protect children from harm and abuse.

The rule already covers professions such as doctors, teachers and carers but it has been extended via the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act to apply to those who train, supervise or instruct young people in the fields of sport and religion.

For further information, you can read an overview on preventing abuse in positions of trust within sport or you can click here to download a briefing paper.

The NSPCC's Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) will be releasing a podcast promoting the development, which will be available via their website. They will also be asking their twitter audience to submit any questions that they have for them to answer in their podcast.

Anne Rook, Archery GB's National Lead Safeguarding Officer, said: "This is a welcome update to the existing law which further strengthens the protections in place for young people in sport.

"We want archery to be a safe space for all young people, under 18 years of age, and for them to realise all of the benefits of our sport without being placed at risk of abuse."

Neil Armitage, CEO of Archery GB, said: "Closing the loophole is an important step in increasing the safety of our sport and should give young people and parents confidence to continue to grow and engage with archery.

"I'd like to thank all of our members who have been alongside Archery GB throughout this campaign and provided their support to achieve this landmark step."

Earlier this year we added a 'report a concern' button to our Homepage and created online forms to make it even easier for you to report a safeguarding or discrimination concern. Click the link below to access the forms:

Report a concern

Dealing with a concern about a possible abuse of trust

If you suspect that an abuse of a position of trust has occurred, is occurring or may occur, you should:

• Immediately report to your Club Welfare Officer who must refer this straight away to the Archery GB National Lead Safeguarding Officer
• Make a written record of your concerns and relevant details
• If you are unable to contact the welfare officer or designated safeguarding lead, or if you think someone is at risk of immediate harm, you must report it to the police or children's social care

The Archery GB Safeguarding Policy, Disciplinary Policy and Procedures and Codes of Conduct will be updated to reflect this important change.

If you have any questions or concerns about potential abuses of positions of trust, please contact the safeguarding team via email.