A MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF THE ENGLAND AND WALES CRICKET BOARD (ECB).
Inappropriate and unwelcome behaviour towards Young Female Participants in cricket over the last few weeks has been reported to the ECB Safeguarding Team regarding sexual harassment of female players, either on the pitch through inappropriate language or ‘sledging’, and off the pitch via unsolicited text and social media contact.
The ECB, through Club Safeguarding Officers, emphasise that such behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. No young women should receive such attention through taking part in cricket. The following should be brought to the attention of players and members of cricket clubs across the country:
Members should be reminded of their own Codes of Conduct, and the guidance included in ‘Safe Hands’, especially ‘ECB guidance for clubs on the use of Social Media, texts and email’.
Clubs should also be reminded that ‘sledging’ female players by reference to their body parts constitutes sexual harassment. Where any such incident involves an Under 18 player, this must be reported as a safeguarding matter and will be dealt with as such.
Female participants should be encouraged to report any incidents of unwanted comment, attention or harassment to the Club Safeguarding Officer, who should inform the County Safeguarding Officer.
Any concerns can also be reported at any time directly to the ECB Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@ecb.co.uk
Thank you for your assistance in making it clear that such behaviour has no place in our sport.
Richard Desjardins
Safeguarding Manager
England and Wales Cricket Board.
July 2018.
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To read all of Reed Cricket Club’s Policy Documents, Codes of Conduct and ECB Directives, click on the heading “Members Area” above then choose “Policy Documents”.
RCC’s Safeguarding Officer is Hannah Heslam. Tel: 07793 025001.
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Posted by Peter G. Baker, V-P, Reed CC.
