MADRID, 31 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has presented and approved this Friday its first protocol for the protection of children and adolescents, to “turn football into a safe space for any minor who may be at risk of violence of all kinds” , according to a statement.
“The board of directors chaired by Luis Rubiales has approved, in its last session, a text that wants to make football a safe space for any minor who may be at risk of violence of all kinds; and provide tools for an adequate response in in the event that such violence occurs,” reported the RFEF.
The protocol aims to “raise awareness, prevent risks, train RFEF professionals in contact with minors and give appropriate responses to any situation.” “Coordination with third parties and the mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of these measures are also included in this extensive protocol. Among other things, it establishes that a person will be designated as Protection Delegate, as well as a specialized committee,” the statement added.
The purpose of the text is to “create safe spaces” for minors to enjoy football, promoting “the safeguarding of girls and boys in the field of action of the RFEF”. “The objectives include ensuring compliance with the rights of children who participate in RFEF activities and minimizing risk situations,” he pointed out, also through the construction of a committee that “guarantees the implementation, follow-up, monitoring and evaluation of the measures.
The protocol starts from the definition of general forms of violence against minors, such as sexual abuse, harassment, sexual harassment, ‘cyberbullying’ or ‘grooming’. The text also establishes the functions, obligations and responsibilities of the figure of the Protection Delegate, responsible for “advising RFEF professionals and leading the protection strategy”, through a risk monitoring system.