Position of Trust

On 16^th November, Tracey Crouch, Sports Minister, announced at DCMS that she has secured ministerial agreement to change the law on positions of trust to include sports coaches.

Anne Tiivas, Head of NSPCC's Child Protection in Sport Unit, said: "It's hard to believe but, at present, there are no laws to stop a sports coach or youth worker having sex with 16- and 17-year-old children in their care. We know that some sports coaches spend years grooming young people and then, as soon as their 16^th birthday comes around, they target them for sex.

Ever since the football abuse scandal broke, we have been strongly urging government to close this loophole that leaves children in sports and other out-of-school clubs vulnerable to adults who want to prey on them.

This announcement is a much-needed step in the right direction but we are keen to hear more about their plans. We will not rest until the Government makes this change which will protect children up and down the country."