Increasing the safety of children in sports activities

The contracts between sports clubs in Hafnarfjörður and the municipality include a clause requiring those working within the sports movement to attend a child protection course offered by the local authority. An agreement has been made with Barnaheill to run this year's course. It will be an educational lecture, a simplified version of the 'Protector of Children' course that many employees of Hafnarfjörður municipality have attended. The training session will be broadcast via remote conferencing equipment, and it will be possible to participate by phone or computer. Two sessions will be held to ensure that as many people as possible can attend, regardless of their working hours.

 Lecture on Wednesday, 14 October

• 12:00-13:00 Teacher Guðrún Helga Bjarnadóttir, nursery school teacher and project manager for Barnaheill
• 19:30-20:30 Instructor Sigríður Björnsdóttir, psychologist and project manager for Barnahjálpin

The City of Hafnarfjörður and the Hafnarfjörður Sports Association encourage all adult participants in the sports movement to attend the educational seminar, to ensure that staff and coaches have access to it, and to help promote it within their club.

Registration for the seminar takes place here: 

Further information about the course link and access will be sent to registered participants closer to the date.

Description of the aims of the training:

How can children be protected from sexual abuse in sports? PE teachers and coaches are role models for many children, who often turn to them with their problems. One of the aims of the training is to teach appropriate responses when a child discloses.

A lecture for adults who work with children and young people. 

The talk is about: 5 steps to protect children from sexual abuse.

• The difference between preventative measures and guidance after the violence has occurred.
• Methods to promote a safer environment (workplace) for adults, children and young people.
• Research and prevalence of sexual violence at home and abroad.

The frequency of violence is discussed here and elsewhere, and the factors that help people to discuss prevention, such as how to talk to children about the body, boundaries and relationships, are discussed. In addition, it discusses ways to encourage adults to talk about unwanted sexual behaviour between children or young people, and how to address and stop such behaviour. Various examples are discussed to understand which factors are important in preventing children from experiencing abuse. It also discusses the emotional difficulties of children who experience sexual abuse and what support can be provided to them when they have been subjected to such abuse.