The Children’s Commissioner is urging sports organisations to implement protection policies and take all necessary measures to prevent abuse.

“About one in five children in Europe are victims of some form of sexual violence and the vast majority of children are victims of people they trust.

“Even though sports activities are very good for children, abuse could also take place within such structures. An increase in reports about sexual abuse occurring within sports settings has been noted,” the Office of the Commissioner for Children said.

About one-third of abused children do not speak up

In 2015, the Council of Europe declared November 18 as the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. This year, the focus was on the protection of children against abuse in sport.

The office stressed that child protection policies should also outline the procedures that should kick in once a child tells an adult, including coaches, trainers or parents that they have been a victim of some form of abuse.

Read: Child Protection Bill: ‘New measures on their own may not curb abuse’

Kiko and the Hand to all children in Kinder One

This storybook, a Council of Europe publication, includes an insert for parents that aims to help them engage in discussions with their children about acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

It is estimated that about one-third of abused children do not speak up. The office therefore emphasises the importance of adults supporting children to report such abuse.

Whoever is aware of any abuse against children should report it on Supportline 179.