Listening to your child

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Help for parents and carers: What is child abuse?; Getting help; Listening to your child; Club safety check; How you can help make sport safe; Setting the right example

Listening to your child

Help and advice from the Child Protection in Sport Unit

If your child talks to you about anything that is worrying them, always listen carefully and take them seriously. Try to build an open and trusting relationship so they know they can come to you with their concerns.

If your child tells you they have been abused, or describes what you think may be abuse, they may be feeling very anxious or embarrassed. It is important that you do not react in a way that adds to their distress.

Here are some points to remember:

try to react calmly
listen very carefully to what your child tells you
make clear that you believe what your child says
tell your child that they have done the right thing by telling you
tell them that they are not to blame
it is very important that you take action to end the abuse .

Listening to your child

Help and advice from the Child Protection in Sport Unit

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