The NSPCC has today launched a new free and independent Helpline to offer support and guidance to individuals with concerns about non-recent or current abuse within cycling. The Helpline has been commissioned by British Cycling to further strengthen its work to ensure that the sport continues to be safe for young people, and provide individuals with an additional route to report concerns and access trained support.
The proactive decision to commission the Helpline with the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) has been made in response to a small number of individuals coming forward to raise concerns of non-recent abuse in the sport, after Sir Bradley Wiggins shared his own personal experience of being groomed by a former coach earlier this year. It can be accessed either by phone, on 0800 614 458, or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk.
The Helpline is open to all in need of support or guidance, and where safeguarding concerns are shared, referrals will be made to the appropriate statutory agencies including the police and local authorities. Where required the NSPCC will also inform Operation Hydrant – the co-ordination hub established to support police forces investigating child sexual abuse and other complex safeguarding concerns. If action is required within the sport, agencies will ensure British Cycling is informed so that the appropriate steps can be taken.
The addition of a new route for reporting incidents or concerns will work alongside and further strengthen British Cycling’s safeguarding processes, and individuals can continue to access the support of the organisation’s own trained case management professionals by emailing compliance@britishcycling.org.uk.
British Cycling’s Finance Director, Chris McAtee, said:
“Ensuring that we keep our sport safe and free from abuse will always be our number one priority as a national governing body, and the decision to commission the Helpline announced today has been taken to provide an additional route for anybody with information on past or current abuse to raise their concerns.
“Abuse of any kind has no place in sport, and by working with the trained professionals at the NSPCC, we’ll be better equipped than ever before to ensure that anybody who has or is experiencing abuse, or is at risk, gets the support they need.”
Kam Thandi, Head of the NSPCC’s Helpline, said:
“Sir Bradley Wiggins showed real bravery in speaking out about being sexually groomed as a young cyclist by his coach and it is vital that anyone else with similar experiences in the sport feels like they have a place to go for help and support.
“That is why British Cycling has commissioned the NSPCC to run an independent Helpline where safeguarding professionals at the charity are on hand to provide advice, signpost to support and refer to statutory agencies if necessary to prevent young people from coming to harm and support victims.
“There is absolutely no space for any form of abuse within cycling or any sports and it is important that anyone - from coaches to parents and athletes - raises any concerns they have about things happening now or that took place in the past. To get in touch, email help@nspcc.org.uk or call 0800 614 458.”
The Helpline will be open from 08:00 - 22:00 Monday to Friday, and 09:00 - 18:00 on weekends.
