Parents - What to do now

Participation in sport and recreation, particularly at the community level, should be fun, safe and fair. Encourage your child to tell you if there is anything that makes them feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried about any club activity.

• Listen to your child if they tell you that an adult has had physical contact with them and they’ve felt uncomfortable.
• Respond calmly and stay in control:
  • ask a few short questions such as: `Tell me what happened?' `What happened next?'  Avoid questions that have only a yes/no answer
  • in some cases you may be able to resolve the issue by talking to the coach (e.g., it could be that the coach keeps ruffling the child’s hair or is often patting the child on the back). You should inform the  club’s administrator and monitor the situation
  • if your child is distressed it may indicate a more serious problem.Tell them you believe them and will support them and that they have done the right thing by telling you and they are not to blame.
• Report directly to the {Child Protection authority in your state or territory} or the police if you suspect your child has been harmed or is at risk of harm.