Football Association Chairman, Greg Clarke, has described the football child sex abuse scandal as one of the biggest crises in the history of the FA.
The NSPCC have reported that a dedicated football sex abuse hotline has received 860 calls in its first week and 17 police forces, including Avon and Somerset, are currently looking into allegations of historical abuse.
Speaking to the Journal, Jon Pike, Chief Executive of the Somerset Football Association, explained that he had not been contacted about any allegations concerning Clubs under his jurisdiction in Somerset, but that he and his staff were committed to supporting any police investigation, as well as the Football Associations’ own internal review, if contacted.
Shirley Needham is the Somerset FA’s Designated Welfare Officer and works regularly with the police and local authorities across the county, helping clubs manage child welfare concerns, as well as other issues such as bullying and racism.
Shirley explained, “The Football Association have been working with the NSPCC for a very long time to ensure that concerns are properly dealt with. People affected by sexual abuse can contact me at the Somerset FA, they can contact their Club Welfare Officer or the police, but please, no matter how old the concern, we really want people to get in touch, we want to face this problem.”
County FA’s have had Welfare Officer in place since 2008, ensuring that safeguarding is embedded into each organisation, from recruitment to the training of FA staff. They also mentor Club Welfare Officers and Youth League Welfare Officers across the county. Information about safeguarding is available at the Somerset FA's website www.somersetfa.com and the County's welfare Officer can be contacted directly at safeguarding@somersetfa.com.
The Somerset FA advise any parents or carers concerned about the procedures in place at a Club they are involved with to check whether it was affiliated to the County FA and identify the Clubs Welfare Officer. Ideally, a Club will be Charter Standard, where the FA routinely check to ensure safeguarding procedures, such as criminal records checks, are in place and being followed.
If you are an adult who experienced sexual abuse as a child within football, you can contact the NSPCC on 0800 023 2642. This dedicated helpline is staffed by independent, experienced NSPCC professionals and offers support and guidance for adults who were victims of childhood sexual abuse within the game at all levels from grassroots to Premier League.
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