Definitions of some key child safeguarding terminology.

  • Abuse
    Abuse is the deliberate act or series of actions which lead to harm. This includes, but is not limited to, verbal, physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse.
  • Additionally vulnerable
    Athletes that do not have access to the same choices as others due to dependency on others and/or an impaired ability to resist, avoid or understand abuse. This term is commonly used to refer to disabled and deaf athletes.
  • Child
    According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, a child is anyone under the age of 18.
  • Child protection
    Child protection is the set of actions implemented when a child is identified as being at risk of being harmed, abused, neglected or exploited. It should be seen as an element of child safeguarding.
  • Child safeguarding
    Child safeguarding is the set of actions, measures and procedures taken to ensure that all children are kept safe from harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation whilst in care.
  • Exploitation
    Exploitation refers to the use of an individual for ones’ own benefit, gratification or satisfaction.
  • Harm
    Harm refers to a negative impact on an individual’s physical, emotional or behavioural health and well-being. Violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation often lead to an individual being harmed.
  • Neglect
    Neglect manifests itself in not reacting, either deliberate or through carelessness, to an act or series of actions or events which lead to harm.

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