Don’t let anyone spoil the fun

Aikido is fun – it gives you the opportunity to make new friends, try out a martial art and amaze yourself with what you can do!

But for a few children the fun is spoilt by adults who do or say things during aikido that hurt or frighten them. What these children are experiencing may be abuse. And they may feel they have no one to talk to about it. Or that no one will listen to them or believe what they say.

 

 

Is something at aikido worrying you?

Are you scared about someone?

 

 

 

 

 

If you think that you may be being abused, or if you’re not sure but feel worried and frightened, these pages will:

• help you understand what child abuse is
• explain what to do if you are being abused or are worried about someone at your aikido club
• tell you about some special helplines  and give you links to other websites that will listen to you and give you helpful advice.

Don’t keep it to yourself

If you think you are being abused, or have been in the past, it’s really important to tell an adult you trust.

This isn’t easy. You may feel worried about what will happen if you do. Here are some other reasons why you may not want to tell anyone:

• the person that hurt or worried you may have told you to keep quiet and not to talk to anybody
• they may have threatened you about what might happen to you or your place in the team if you tell
• they may have made threats about your friends or family
• they may have said “No one will believe you” or “No one will do anything if you tell”
• you may feel guilty that you didn’t stop the abuse happening
• the person may be someone who everyone in your aikido looks up to – perhaps including your parents
• you may not want to let your parents down you may even think the problem will go away if you ignore it.

Don’t let any of these things stop you getting help. By telling someone, you can stop the abuse. You’ll also be helping to protect other children from the abuser.

How to get help

• Tell an adult you trust as soon as possible. This could be: a parent or someone else in your family; another member at the aikido club for example the club welfare officer; a teacher or school counsellor; your doctor or school nurse.
• If you have any problems please contact your Association Child Protection Officer (look on your association website for there name) or contact Geoff Aisbitt, the BAB Lead Safeguarding Officer on 07492860335,  If Geoff is not immediately available please leave a message and he will call you back.
  You can also email – cslo@bab.org.uk
•  Make sure you are not alone again with the person who has tried to harm you. If you think you might be hurt right now, contact the police on 999.
• You can ring the NSPCC’s 24 hour free phone helpline
  Telephone:             0808 800 5000
  Asian Helpline:       0808 096 7719
  Welsh Helpline:      0808 100 2524
  Textphone:             0800 056 0686 (for deaf users)
  Website:                 www.nspcc.org.uk
• You can also contact the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU)
  3 Gilmour Close, Beaumont Leys, Leicester LE4 1EZ
  Telephone:             0116 234 7278
  Website:                www.thecpsu.org.uk

Other Useful websites

http://www.childline.org.uk     – ChildLine is the UK’s free and confidential, 24-hour helpline for children in distress or danger.

www.bullying.co.uk         – Advice for children, parents and schools about dealing with bullying.

www.thinkuknow.co.uk – The latest information on the websites you like to visit, mobiles and new technology. Find out what’s good, what’s not and what you can do about it.

www.ceop.gov.uk           – The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre is part of UK police and is dedicated to protecting children from sexual abuse wherever they may be.  You can report abuse through their site by using the button below.  But if you know about a child or young person who is in immediate danger, immediate risk or you require an urgent response, you must call 999 or your local police.

Virgin Media – O2 Online Safety         – The internet has so many positive and wonderful aspects to enjoy but there can be a darker side. We look at some of the most constructive ways to protect yourselves and your children from the main dangers and difficult trends online. Hints, tips and insights around the major issues.