SDF hosts ‘safeguarding in sports’ seminar

‘SAFEGUARDING IN sports’ is now the popular term being used to sensitise everyone involved in the profession. Not just the vulnerable, but those that wittingly or unwittingly harm others physically, mentally, sexually, or otherwise.

“Abuse in sports is no different from general abuse,” said presenter Paul Beckford, acting principal of G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport.

“Placing too much emphasis on winning causes the development of negative attitudes in the coach. The raised voice, the tone, the body language, and yelling are examples of this attitude. We have to be cognisant of what we do, because in trying to motivate and develop these athletes, we may actually demotivate and destroy them.”

Beckford was one of several speakers at a seminar hosted by the Sports Development Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, supported by the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation.

There were speakers from CISOCA, UNICEF and others, who elaborated on data protection in sports, mental abuse, physical abuse, and conversations for greatness.

Psychologist Dr Joan Spencer-Ernandez spoke on the effects of physical abuse, and there was an address by Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange.

Safeguarding in sports is the proactive commitment and systematic process of protecting all participants — especially children, young people, and adults at risk — from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation within the sporting environment.

It encompasses far more than just reacting to incidents; it involves creating a culture of safety, respect, and well-being through robust policies, comprehensive training, clear reporting procedures, and vigilant recruitment practices.

By prioritising safeguarding, sports organisations fulfil their fundamental duty of care, ensuring that athletic participation remains a positive, empowering, and secure experience for everyone involved, thereby upholding the integrity and trust essential to the sporting community.

“The power dynamics between coach and athletes sometimes leads to controlling behaviours which are similar to emotional abuse: ‘It’s my way or the highway.’ This creates an unhealthy environment where the athletes feel ridiculed, isolated and rejected. This builds self-doubt and pessimism. This fosters depression, which leads to anxiety, stress and even suicidal thoughts,” said Beckford.

The veteran lecturer said that coaches should be properly remunerated and put in a position where their jobs are not dependent on the next performance.

“Job security leads to positivity between the athletes and coaches,” he said. “The fact is, we all abuse our athletes at some time or the other without even realising. We must be the coach that we want to play for,” he concluded.

UNICEF education specialist Dr Rebecca Tortello said that coaches are sometimes the only stable adult in a young athlete’s life. She informed that one in seven children is exposed to violence in the Jamaican society.

“UNICEF uses sports to combat abuse of our youth. That stable role model is sometimes the antidote for the mental and physical abuse and the toxic stress that these kids suffer.”

Mrs Celia Alleyne-Ebanks, programmes manager of the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, spoke on motivation in ‘Conversations for Greatness’. This is a significant programme of the foundation that aims to empower individuals through self-discovery, helping them envision their lives with clarity, live authentically, navigate challenges, and achieve desired outcomes. The JMMB Foundation has implemented this in schools to empower staff.

Attorney-at-law Chukwuemeka Cameron spoke on the importance of securing personal data that is collected from athletes by administrators. He pointed out that personal data is important and extremely valuable, and how it is collected and stored says a lot about the professionalism of an organisation. He warned that this data is protected by law (the Data Protection Act) and it should never be allowed to get into the hands of third parties. Cameron noted that the misuse of this data is illegal and athletes are able to seek recourse from an offending organisation.

“If you are collecting an athlete’s data, you must tell them. That data must be safely locked away. Don’t collect more data than you actually need. When you protect your athlete’s data, you are saying that you value and respect them,” he said.

Inspector of Police Cherise Johnson reminded coaches and administrators that they should be looking out for signs of sexual abuse among their young charges. She reiterated that the sexual harassment law is active in Jamaica and persons can be charged for different activities that may be deemed innocuous. She also touched on the topic of rape, stressing that no means no; and this should be adhered to at all times.

“Sex with a minor is against the law and if proven, you could easily go to prison,” she warned.

“Sexual touching of a child under the age of 16 could put you in jail for 10 years.”

She also warned that the making and distribution of sexual content with minors is a grave concern, which could land adults in prison, both locally and internationally.

The seminar was attended by more than 100 administrators and coaches from various sporting organisations.