Empower Your Family & Protect Your Kids in Sport: Tips for Parents & Guardians

 

Preventing abuse in sport is a community effort. It takes the awareness and attention of everyone, from coaches to parents to the athletes themselves. 

This National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we encourage parents, guardians, and other adults who regularly interact with young athletes to take a moment and learn what you can do to protect the kids and teens in your life from misconduct and abuse—and empower them to speak up against it.

Below, we explore ways parents can get their kids involved and engaged in discussions about the importance of healthy and safe sport environments. Read on for three tips to help you start the conversation.

 

Tip 1: Get Educated

As a parent or guardian of a youth athlete, talking about abuse is the first step to preventing it. But you might be wondering, “Where do I start and what do I say?”

Our Parent’s Guide to Misconduct in Sport is a free 30-minute course designed to equip you with the tools and knowledge to create a safer sport environment for your children. By taking this course, you’ll also receive guidance on how to start the conversation and talk with your child or teen about important topics like recognizing abuse and speaking up if they feel uncomfortable or unsure.

 

This Course Will Educate Parents to Understand:

• What makes a healthy coach-athlete relationship

• How to recognize forms of abuse and misconduct

• Ways to make sport situations safer