The formal framework for protecting everyone in athletics in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Introduction
Team Athletics St. Vincent and the Grenadines (TASVG) is dedicated to promoting athletics within St. Vincent and the Grenadines while ensuring a safe, happy, and positive environment for children and adults to develop their talents and achieve their goals. This Safeguarding Policy (“the Policy”) establishes and outlines our responsibilities to ensure that everyone can participate in athletics safely.
Abuse can be perpetrated by anyone and occurs in every sport and organisation. No community is immune. This Policy exists to create clear barriers against abuse, harassment, and exploitation, which often arise from imbalances of power.
1. Policy Statement & Commitment
TASVG believes that everyone in athletics has the right to participate free from any form of abuse, harassment, or exploitation.
We are committed to protecting everyone within our scope—regardless of race, colour, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or belief.
Our Core Principles:
- Dignity & Respect: Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect, free from discrimination.
- Safe Participation: Everyone has the right to participate in a safe, inclusive environment.
- Voice: Everyone, both children and adults, has the right to be heard, especially when raising a concern.
- Shared Responsibility: Everyone is responsible for the care and protection of children, whose welfare is paramount.
2. Key Definitions
Understanding these terms is crucial to recognising and reporting safeguarding issues.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Safeguarding | The process of protecting children and adults from abuse, harassment, and exploitation. It’s about creating a safe environment where everyone is respected. |
| A Child | Any person under the age of 18. |
| Abuse | The recruitment, transportation, or harbouring of persons by threat, force, coercion, or deception for the purpose of exploitation. |
| Physical Abuse | Intentional physical force causing injury (e.g., hitting, beating, burning, forced doping). |
| Sexual Abuse | Any conduct of a sexual nature where consent is not given or cannot be given (e.g., non-contact, contact, or penetrative acts). |
| Psychological Abuse | Acts that diminish a person’s sense of identity, dignity, or self-worth (e.g., humiliation, intimidation, isolation). |
| Neglect | The failure to provide a minimum level of care, causing harm or the risk of harm (e.g., lack of food, supervision, or medical care). |
| Grooming | The process where someone builds a relationship with a child to exploit and abuse them. This can happen online or in person. |
| Exploitation | Using an individual for one’s own benefit without their fully informed consent (e.g., financial exploitation, human trafficking). |
| Human Trafficking | The recruitment, transportation, or harboring of persons by threat, force, coercion, or deception for the purpose of exploitation. |
3. Who This Policy Protects
This Policy applies to everyone involved with TASVG, including:
- Athletes (children and adults)
- Coaches and all athletic support staff
- Officials, volunteers, and board members
- Parents, carers, and members of an athlete’s entourage
- Any other person associated with athletics within St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Any breaches of this Policy will be subject to disciplinary action.
4. How We Uphold This Policy
To turn our commitment into action, TASVG will:
| Our Promise | How We Deliver It |
|---|---|
| Leadership & Responsibility | Appoint a Safeguarding Lead on the board and a dedicated Safeguarding Officer. |
| Awareness & Training | Ensure everyone knows who the Safeguarding Officer is and how to report a concern. Provide regular training for staff and volunteers. |
| Clear Procedures | Produce and implement Codes of Conduct, rules, and disciplinary procedures. |
| Support & Guidance | Provide support to anyone involved in a reported concern, complaint, or allegation. |
| Fair & Transparent Process | Deal with all concerns in a fair, timely manner. Carry out independent investigations for serious concerns. |
| Confidentiality | Handle all information confidentially and securely, to the extent permitted by law. |
| Safe Recruitment | Recruit appropriately, carrying out background checks and following up on references for roles working with children. |
| Partnership | Work with local agencies, NGOs, and community groups to ensure everyone is kept safe. |
5. Reporting a Concern: Your Duty
Everyone is responsible for ensuring that no one suffers abuse, harassment, or exploitation.
If you have any suspicions, you must report them to our Safeguarding Officer.
In an Emergency:
If someone is at immediate risk of serious harm, call the emergency services at 911 or 999 first.
Otherwise, contact our Safeguarding Officer:
- Name: Delcia Stay-Layne
- Phone: +1 (784) 529-7323
- Email: [email protected]
Key Reporting Principles:
- Consent: In some cases, the consent of the individual may be sought to report a matter, but there are times when a report must be made without it.
- Mandatory Reporting: Under the Children (Care and Adoption) Act of 2010, certain persons with responsibility for children are mandatory reporters.
- Independence: Serious concerns will be investigated by someone independent of TASVG to ensure a fair and unbiased process.
6. Confidentiality
Our Safeguarding Officers are entrusted with sensitive information and must treat it with the highest level of confidentiality. Information will only be shared with those who need to know and have the proper authorisation, in line with data protection regulations.
Any breach of confidentiality is a serious violation and will result in disciplinary action.
7. Policy Review & Monitoring
This Policy is a living document. It will be:
- Formally reviewed every two years (biennially) to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness.
- Monitored regularly by TASVG or an independent safeguarding authority to ensure proper implementation.
Download the Full Policy Document
For the complete and formal policy document, including detailed procedures and templates, please download the PDF below.
Need Immediate Help or Have a Question?
Contact our Safeguarding Officer, Delcia Stay-Layne:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (784) 529-7323
This policy is aligned with the principles of World Athletics and the laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
