Why Should a National Cricket Federation Have Safeguarding Policy and Procedures?

Safeguarding the dignity of the individual is a fundamental principle of cricket, but players of all ages can only train and compete to their highest potential in environments which recognise and respect their fundamental rights, including the right to physical and psychological safety.

Crucial to fostering environments in which athletes can thrive is ensuring that measures are in place to prevent harassment and abuse and to respond appropriately to any concerns raised, both using an athlete-centered approach – which means putting the athletes and the voices of athletes at the heart of the polices, processes, and procedures which are designed to protect their welfare.

Harassment and abuse in sport can take many forms. The five main forms are 1. physical abuse, 2. psychological abuse, 3. sexual abuse, 4. sexual harassment, and 5. neglect (which is the failure of someone with a duty of care to provide that care, resulting in harm).

Whilst we can all testify to the numerous and varied benefits of sports participation, evidence demonstrates that harassment and abuse occur across all sport, and although there is no evidence showing that harassment and abuse occur more often in sport than in other areas of society, there are certain aspects of sport which increase the risk of harassment and abuse occurring – including a lack of safeguarding policies and procedures being in place by sports organisations.

Safeguarding policies and procedures not only protect athletes; the integrity of sport; the integrity of sports organisations, and those working in sport, but they also demonstrate your organisation’s commitment to athlete well-being and promote the values upon which cricket is founded.

Therefore, it is important that all Members have athlete safeguarding policies and procedures in place.

Although athlete centered policies and procedures build a strong individual pillar within a safeguarding strategy, it is also crucial to include education at all levels, awareness raising initiatives, monitoring, and evaluation in order to foster a supportive culture of safe sport across all Members. Doing so helps to protect and promote the safety and well-being of all participants, and the long-term health and vitality of cricket at all levels.

About Kirsty Burrows:

The ICC has appointed Kirsty Burrows as the ICC safeguarding consultant, with the objective of assisting Members with the creation and implementation of safeguarding policy and procedures; and as a result, create a safe environment for all participants.

Kirsty is Managing Director of Sports Rights Solutions and lead consultant to the International Olympic Committee on Athlete Safeguarding and Mental Health. In her capacity as lead consultant to the IOC on Athlete Safeguarding, a role she has held since 2016, Kirsty authored the IOC Athlete Safeguarding Toolkit (2017); assumes the role of IOC Deputy Safeguarding Officer at Games-Time; and oversees the development and implementation of the IOC Safe Sport strategy and accompanying initiatives.

Kirsty is also director of the IOC International Safeguarding Officer in Sport Certificate, and a member of the Council of Europe’s Pro Safe Sport pool of experts. Kirsty has published numerous works in the area of Safe Sport, including in peer-reviewed journals such as the British Journal of Sports Medicine and handbooks such as the Routledge Handbook of Athlete Welfare. Furthermore, Kirsty has also co-authored An Overview of the Sport-Related Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children and moderated the podcast series of the same name for the Centre of Sport and Human Rights.