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Child abuse is an issue which will quite correctly generates
media interest. The RFU has developed a comprehensive programme to ensure that
all who deal with young people are provide with the expertise to undertake
their role in a correct and professional manner.
BRFC Junior Section
will ensure that all enquires from the media are dealt with jointly by the
Chairman, Vice Chairman and the Safeguarding Officer. Advice and guidance will
be sought from the Regional RFU Press Officer whose contact details are set in
the RFU Welfare of Young People in Rugby Union Guidance document which is
available from the RFU Website. Contact details are also held by the BRFC
Safeguarding Officer.
If the BRFC is aware of an allegation of child
abuse then the Regional Press Officer is to be contacted at the earliest
opportunity to ensure that the club is prepared for any approaches from the
Press. It is important to remember that any incident could generate a large
amount of media coverage no matter how minor the incident may be.
The
RFU/RFUW now has a regional media team who can help when dealing with media
enquiries. However, we as a club must ensure that the initial enquiry is
handled in a way that does not aggravate the situation or generate negative
publicity. It is also important to be aware of legislation that prevents the
naming of children and young people in the media.
The RFU/RFUW is
committed to investigating all allegations, the potential damage the
publication of false allegations can do to an individual or club should not be
underestimated.
Be Prepared
The Chairman, Vice Chairman
and the Safeguarding Officer of the Junior Section BRFC have been appointed to
handle media enquires.
If any member of the administrative or coaching
staff know of an allegation of child abuse they are to inform the officers
named above in order that they can be prepared in advance for potential
publicity.
Contact is to be made with the appropriate RFU/RFU Regional
Press Officer and give them all the details.
Do not hide anything or
pretend the situation is not as serious as it is or might become. The press can
put a large headline on even the smallest story and it is important that the
RPO is aware of all the details.
What to do when approached or
contacted by a journalist
A journalist may hear of an alleged case
of abuse from a source or directly from a relative or acquaintance of the
alleged victim.
They are likely to try a number of different approach
avenues to gain a response. It is worth remembering that a journalist may
already have a story mapped out in their own mind so what you say, and how you
say it, is important.
If any official of BRFC is approached by a member
of the media they ensure that:
- They clearly hear the name of the reporter. If you are
unsure of the name ask for it to be repeated. These details should be written
down for future reference.
- Ensure that you clearly understand the question they are
asking. The question(s) should also be recorded.
- Do not respond to any media enquiry by saying NO
COMMENT. This response gives the impression that you are being guarded and have
something to hide.
- Request that they provide you with a contact number
where they can be easily contacted and what the deadline time is on their
article.
- Immediately contact the Club Chairman, Vice Chairman or
Safeguarding Officer.
- The Chairman, Vice Chairman or Safeguarding Officer are
to notify the RFU Regional Media Officer to discuss the media approach.
Once the Regional Press officer has been notified they
will contact the RFU Child Protection Officer to formulate an appropriate
response.
The club will be notified by the RFU Regional Press Officer
of the response which is issued.
It is important to remember that
stories of child abuse are rarely a one day story and the club as a whole must
be prepared for a number of approaches from the media. Therefore any subsequent
media enquiries are to be dealt with in the same manner as the initial enquiry
and contact the RFU Regional Press Officer.
It is vital that all
concerned with the BRFC are aware of a media attempt to gain an "off the
record" comment. Journalists use this tool to get more information but with the
undertaking that they will not publish what you say. Do not speak off the
record in any situation involving child protection issues.
All coaches
and administrative staff are to refer any media enquires to the nominated press
officers no matter how many approaches are made.
The flow chart below
sets out the correct action when dealing with media enquires.
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