81 SEX OFFENCES BY ADULTS IN A POSITION OF TRUST IN WALES

81 recorded sex crimes for ‘Abuse of Position of Trust’ in Wales since 2011-12

But it is not illegal for sports coaches or other youth leaders to have sexual contact with 16 and 17 year olds in their care

NSPCC’s #TrustToLead campaign calls for Position of Trust laws to be extended

Offences involving adults in positions of trust who have sexual contact with children in their care have reached a total of 81 in Wales since 2011-12, official data shows.

But the NSPCC fears the true extent of abuse is much worse, because the law doesn’t apply to youth work roles such as sports coaches and leaders of religious groups.

There has been a 57% increase in offences for Abuse of Position of Trust in England and Wales (from 176 in 2011-12 to 277 in 2016/17), where professionals – such as teachers or care staff – have sexual contact with 16 or 17-year-old children they work with.  In total, 1,290 offences have been recorded since 2011-12 with 81 of those recorded by the four Welsh police forces.

The NSPCC’s #TrustToLead campaign is calling for laws on Position of Trust to be extended, to better protect children in sport and other youth activities.

A legal loophole means adults with regular and intense contact with children in sport and other activities are able to groom them from a young age, and abuse that trusting relationship to have sexual contact as soon as the child turns 16.

This was what happened to Lee* who was befriended by youth leader, Adam* at his church group when he was 15.  Adam began texting Lee and asking to spend time together outside of the group.

Lee said: “Adam started by sitting closer to me on the sofa, trailing his finger on to mine. Things which I thought were weird but not big enough to react to.”

Things escalated to kissing and sexual contact when Lee turned 16.

He added: “I was so confused but knew what he was doing was wrong. I wanted it to stop but part of me was afraid to speak out because I didn’t want to get him in trouble.”

Head of NSPCC Cymru / Wales, Des Mannion, said: “Safeguarding in children’s clubs should not end suddenly at 16. The NSPCC has been told of a number of cases where, in sports and other youth work settings, leaders have used their position to groom children and then take advantage of them as soon as they turn 16.   

“It is baffling that sports coaches and other youth workers are not deemed to be in a position of trust, given the significant responsibility, influence and authority that adults in these roles have over the children they are there to look after.

“Sadly, we know that this trust can be abused and it is therefore vital that this legal definition is widened to include sports coaches and other youth workers, bolstering protection for teenagers at risk of grooming once they pass the age of consent.”