Safeguarding
Children in sport
Find out how we are tackling child abuse in sport and supporting survivors
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Safeguarding
Children in Sport
Find out how we are tackling child abuse in sport and supporting survivors
Who we are...
The Offside Trust is a survivor-led organisation dedicated to safeguarding children and young people in all sports. Established by survivors of child sexual abuse in football, we are committed to supporting those affected, raising awareness, and working to prevent abuse from happening again.
Our team strives to amplify survivors' voices, advocate for policy changes, and promote safe sporting environments through education and support.
At the Offside Trust, we believe every child deserves to enjoy sports without fear of harm. By working closely with organisations, survivors, and communities, we are building a lasting legacy of safety, trust, and empowerment in sport.
By Survivors, For Survivors
We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to enhancing safeguarding across all levels of sport. Our mission is to raise awareness of safeguarding, to offer survivors vital support and resources, and advocate for legal and regulatory reforms that will improve safeguarding in sports. Unlike charities, we are free to actively lobby politicians and campaign for change, reinvesting all funds into achieving our goals. By building strong partnerships with clubs, organisations, and charities, we aim to make a meaningful impact where it's needed most. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us so far!
What we do
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Our future work will focus on expanding our support services, enhancing safeguarding practices, and fostering a safer culture in sport. We will continue offering confidential listening services and referrals, while collaborating with partners to improve reporting, information sharing, and cross-sport checks. Regular support events for survivors, as well as resources for families and loved ones, will remain at the core of our work, ensuring a survivor-centred approach at every stage.
We are committed to safeguarding in sport, providing crucial support to survivors of abuse and pushing for systemic change. To date, we have confidentially supported over 100 survivors, many of whom had never spoken out before. We’ve worked tirelessly to make safeguarding a top priority across all sports, addressing inadequacies in existing systems and collaborating with clubs and organisations to build effective solutions. By organising support events and speaking out in the media, we continue to challenge the stigma surrounding abuse and ensure that survivors have access to the help they need.
Looking ahead, we aim to drive lasting change by promoting safeguarding best practices at every level, from professional leagues to grassroots sports. By developing guidelines, supporting independent investigations, and working with clubs and governing bodies, we will continue to advocate for a culture where abuse is eradicated, and every child in sport is protected.
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Thanks to our supporters
"Their bravery has opened up a very dark secret in football. They need the support of professional footballers and a simple message on social media could be enough to help."
Geoff Thomas, Ex-England Footballer
"The right thing to do is to safeguard the children and help our beautiful game grow. I'm delighted to support the Offside Trust, now and always."
Robbie Fowler, Ex-Liverpool & England Footballer
"I'm very happy to support the Offside Trust. Football is a game to bring people together and it should always be a place of trust and safety"
John Bishop, Comedian
"Pompey are delighted to back The Offside Trust in their work to help ensure football is a safe environment for children & support survivors of abuse."
Portsmouth FC
Get in touch
If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse in sport, there are a number of resources available.
Stay in the loop
If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse in sport, there are a number of resources available.
Get involved
If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse in sport, there are a number of resources available.