BUILDING SAFER FOOTBALL COMMUNITIES
if you are in immediate danger, call 000
BUILDING SAFER FOOTBALL COMMUNITIES
Building safer football communities
Everyone has a role to play in creating a safer community, and the Western Sydney Wanderers are committed to this. As a club representing one of the most diverse and multicultural populations in Australia, we understand how football can bring people together, spark important conversations and drive meaningful social change.
Domestic, family and sexual violence impacts individuals, families and communities throughout Western Sydney, and we believe our sporting organisation has a responsibility to raise awareness, promote respect and positive cultural change.
Safer football communities are built through everyday actions. Everyone can help create a club culture where respect is expected, concerns are taken seriously, and people know where to go for help.
Your response when someone experiences harm matters. It can help a person feel believed, supported and less alone.
We build safer communities by seeing and stopping harmful behaviour early, before it becomes more serious. This can include speaking up about:
- sexist or disrespectful comments, bullying, harassment or intimidation
- controlling behaviour in relationships, families or teams
- behaviour that makes someone feel unsafe, excluded or humiliated
- jokes or “banter” that excuse harm or target women, girls or other community members
What coaches, team managers, club officials and leaders allow, ignore or challenge, sends a message to everyone else. Clubs must have clear steps for raising concerns so players, families, volunteers and community members know who they can speak to and what will happen next.
A safer football community relies on people taking concerns seriously, acting within their role, and helping connect others with the right support.
Find the information that fits your situation
If you experience domestic, family and sexual violence, it is never your fault. Support is available and you are not alone.
If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
You can get free support from trained service providers who will listen, talk to you about your options, and support you to stay safe. You do not need to make any decisions before you are ready. A list of support services is available can be found here.
Help is available whenever you are ready. You are not alone.
Sometimes people don’t tell us if they experience violence. You might notice changes in how someone talks or acts. If this happens, choose a safe time to talk to them.
You can:
- find a private, quiet place to talk
- speak calmly
- allow them to talk as much or as little as they want
- let them know support is available
- follow emergency or child safety procedures if there is immediate risk to a child or young person
- tell them clearly if you need to ask someone else for support to help keep them safe
You could say:
- “You seem different lately.”
- “I’m here for you.”
- “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to.”
- “There is help available. I can help you find support if you’d like.”
If someone tells you that they are experiencing violence, stay calm and listen without judgement. Thank them for trusting you. Believe what they tell you.
People experiencing violence are often isolated. They might feel the violence is their fault. This is not true. The person using violence or control is always responsible for their actions. People experiencing violence might take time to recognise violence and feel ready to seek help. Your role is to listen, support, and help them find support services when they are ready.
You can:
- listen and thank them for telling you
- believe them
- tell them it is brave to share their experience
- check they are safe right now
- ask what they need in this moment
- offer options without telling them what to do
- help connect them with support services if they want
You could say:
- “Thank you for telling me.”
- “I believe you.”
- “I’m sorry this has happened to you.”
- “This isn’t your fault.”
- “Are you safe right now?”
- “What would feel most helpful right now?”
- “I can help you get support if you want.”
Don’t say:
- “Are you sure?”
- “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
- “It doesn’t sound like him/her.”
- “Maybe it’s not that serious.”
- “You need to report this.”
As a coach, volunteer or club official, if you notice changes in someone’s behaviour it could mean something is wrong, even if they don’t say so.
If this happens, you should follow your club’s Member Protection Framework and the NSW Mandatory Reporter Guide. Always prioritise safety, respect and support.
If you need to report a concern, you should let the person know what you are going to do. Be clear and honest.
Check that reporting a concern will not put the person in danger. For example, after stating clearly that you are concerned about their safety you could say:
- “I need to share this with the club’s safeguarding lead so we can try to help keep you safe.”
- “I may need to pass this on to people who can help, and I will only share it with the right people. Do you want me to let you know if I do this?”
- “My priority is your safety, and I need to follow club procedures.”
Always follow club policies, mandatory child safety reporting and any other external reporting requirements where there is a risk of harm identified. If you are unsure you can:
If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. If the child or young person is at risk, then call the NSW Child Protection Helpline on 13 21 11 (available 24/7).
If you are a coach, volunteer or club official:
In NSW, some workers and volunteers must report if they think a child is being abused or neglected and is at risk of harm. Follow your club’s processes for reporting, safeguarding and/or responding to child protection concerns for children and young people.
Whether you are a coach, volunteer, club official or a member of the public, you can also call the NSW Child Protection Helpline to seek support and advice about your worries.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 000.
You can find a list of free support services in NSW and Australia including 24/7 helplines here.
If you are worried about your own use of violence or abuse, support is available to help you change your behaviour.
Each of us makes choices about how we act. Blaming your choice to use violence or abuse on losing control, having too many drinks, or being stressed about work or money is a way of avoiding responsibility for your behaviour.
Most people who are violent and abusive in their relationships don't act violent, abusive and controlling outside of the home.
Getting professional help to learn new ways of having a healthy relationship with your partner or loved ones is possible. Admitting responsibility for abusive, controlling and violent behaviour takes strength and courage. It's a good first step to ending the abuse and violence.
Some things you might consider:
- Do you find it hard to talk about or express your feelings and then end up ‘exploding’?
- Do you feel jealous and possessive of your partner, ex-partner or other family members and try to stop them spending time with other people?
- Do you put your partner, ex-partner or other family member down by saying mean things or humiliating them?
- Do you regularly check up on your partner, ex-partner or family member, watch them from afar or check their phone or online accounts?
- Do you make your partner, your children or other family members feel afraid so that they are more likely to do what you want them to do?
- Do you force, coerce or cajole your partner or ex-partner into having sex with you?
- Do you constantly apologise for your behaviour but keep doing it?
- Do you feel it's your role to make all the major decisions in your family, such as financial decisions?
If you are concerned about your behaviour towards others, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service.
Do not confront the person or try to “sort it out” yourself. That can increase risk for you and for the person experiencing harm. It can also make the person using violence more defensive or more careful about hiding what they are doing. It also gives them an opportunity to try to convince you that what they are doing is not wrong, or to blame the other person.
If the person brings it up with you, keep the conversation calm and brief. You can name the behaviour without arguing, for example you can say:
“I’m concerned about what you’ve described. Using violence or control is not okay.”
Try not to debate the details, shame them, or pass on anything the other person has told you.
Focus on:
- safety (your own and any other people involved)
- accountability (never make excuses for violence)
- getting the right support
If you are worried, speak with your club safeguarding contact or a specialist support service for advice. If the person wants help to change their behaviour, they can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 for free, confidential support and referral.
- Should I investigate what happened?
No, you do not need to find out more information or gather evidence. If you are unsure about what to do, speak to:
- Member Protection or Safeguarding Officer
- Club Welfare Officer
- Club leadership
- Club or league safeguarding contacts
- A national support service such as Full Stop Australia. Find out more about support services here
