Safeguarding for Young People

Skateboarding is an awesome community to be part of, and we want to ensure that you be safe and feel safe. When someone else’s behaviour is spoiling your fun or has hurt or frightened you, know that you can speak out. Here is some information to assist you knowing when and how to ask for help:

As a child or young person in skateboarding you have the right to:

  • be respected and treated fairly
  • be safe and protected
  • be listened to
  • be coached and supported by adults who are suitably trained to do so.

 

How to keep yourself safe

  • Listen to your instincts about the people you meet
  • Stay with people you feel safe with
  • Stay in sight of other people when alone with a grown up
  • Always tell someone you trust where you’re going and who you’re with
  • Carry a mobile phone, phone card or enough money in change to be able to make a phone call from a public telephone

 

Is something wrong?
Here are some examples of behaviours that would be wrong if someone:

  • Constantly teases you, puts you down, belittles you, shouts at you or calls you names
  • Threatens, hits, kicks or punches you
  • Touches you inappropriately or does anything that makes you feel uncomfortable
  • Makes suggestive remarks or tries to pressurize you into sexual activity, taking drugs or consuming alcohol
  • Sends you texts or emails that are inappropriate
  • Damages or steals your belongings
  • Tells you to train when you have a serious injury
  • Does anything that makes you feel lonely, upset, embarrassed, worried, unsafe, hurt, dependent, manipulated or controlled

If any of the above happens to you take action to stop it, we will help you.

What to do
If you are being bullied or abused, it is not your fault.

  • If you’re in immediate danger of serious harm, call the police on 999.

If you’re not in immediate danger, but feeling affected by the behaviours you have experienced;

  • Tell your parents/carers/coach or another adult you can trust as soon as possible.
  • If you’re at an indoor skate park, tell their staff.
  • If you don’t feel you can tell any of these people call Childline 0800 1111 (this is entirely confidential), or NSPCC 0800 800500.
  • If possible, keep a note of the date, time and place, what happened, how you felt and the name of anyone who may have seen what happened
  • Don’t give up until someone helps you.

If you’re worried or unsure about something, let us know so that we can help you. Email SBGB’s safeguarding lead at [email protected] or use our online report a concern form.

There is more information about safeguarding on the Skateboard GB website here.

Also, take a look at Skateboard GB’s Quick Guide to Safeguarding here and our codes of conduct.

Helpful links are:

Childline
An entirely confidential helpline
Phone 0800 1111   Web www.childline.org.uk

NSPCC:
Phone 0808 800 500  Email [email protected]

Child Protection in Sport Unit
Phone 0116 366 5590 Web www.thecpsu.org.uk  Email [email protected]

More useful websites.