Sport and recreation for children and young people should make them happier and healthier. Their wellbeing, now and into the future, depends on their experiences as they grow up. Sport and recreation activities should be free from abuse and harm.

Child safeguarding is the set of actions that nga tangata/everyone can take to protect tamariki and rangatahi from abuse and harm. This includes protecting them from emotional, physical and sexual abuse, and neglect.

Keeping children and young people safe in sport and recreation is something that should be done collectively within clubs, organisations, whānau and communities. Having clear expectations and guidance helps to keep everyone in sport and recreation safe.

Child safeguarding includes:

• agreeing on how people interact with tamariki and rangatahi to keep them safer

• providing safe activities and environments in sport and recreation.

Understanding and knowing more about child safeguarding:

• will ensure sport and recreation in Aotearoa New Zealand is safer and fairer

• means having the skills to prevent, identify and address abuse and harm to tamariki and rangatahi.

These resources below include information about child safeguarding and child protection, including practical advice about what you can do as:

• a club or an organisation

• someone who works or volunteers with children and young people

• a parent, caregiver or whānau.