Responding to a Disclosure of Domestic Abuse in a Sport Setting – The Domestic Abuse in Sport and Activity Toolkit

DO:

• Listen calmly and without judgment.
• Believe the person, and thank them for sharing their concerns.
• Explain your duty to share information in certain situations and if someone’s safety is at immediate risk. Hypothetical examples may help you here. ‘For example, if I feel a child is at risk of abuse, or an adult who is unable to protect themselves…’
• Make it clear you are also there to support them, even though you have a duty to share certain information.
• Reassure them it’s not their fault.
• Remember that the individual may not view the behaviour as abusive. 
  
• Consider the family situation. Are there others at risk? Your duty to report changes if a child is at risk, or if the situation involves an adult who is legally defined as an ‘adult at risk’.
• Remember that separation isn’t necessarily the end of the abuse. Statistics suggest that risk can heighten when a victim tries to end an abusive relationship.
• Remember that forensic timescales are relevant, particularly when it comes to sexual or physical abuse. Rather than exploring this with a victim yourself, it would be good to encourage contact with the Police, Rape Crisis, or a local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) or domestic abuse service as soon as possible.
• Remember your professional boundaries. Signposting quickly is crucial, and it is unhealthy for an individual to become reliant on you.
• Support the individual to contact services themselves, providing it is appropriate to do so, and that they have the capacity. Read more about capacity to make decisions here.
• Explain your duty to share information if someone’s safety is at risk.
• Follow safeguarding or referral procedures.

DO NOT:

• Attempt to investigate the situation yourself. There may need to be a club/organisation level investigation, but it is not your role to decide this alone.
• Engage in detailed conversation about what has happened. If your discussion goes off-track, bring the conversation back to signposting and connection with specialist services.
• Confront the abuser.
• Make promises you cannot keep, particularly involving confidentiality.
• React with shock or disbelief.
• Minimise or dismiss what they tell you.
• Pressure them to take specific actions.

Helpful phrases if responding to the individual being abused:

• ‘I’m really sorry this is happening to you.’
• ‘You’re not alone. Help is available.’
• ‘You can talk to me, and I can help you find support.’
• ‘It’s important that we support you to stay safe.’
• ‘This behaviour towards you isn’t ok.’ 

Helpful phrases if responding to a third-party disclosure:

• ‘I imagine/I can see you’re very concerned about them.’ 
• ‘It’s important that we try and empower them to reach-out to specialist services.’
• ‘There is a chance they do not see this as abuse. It’s important we provide support in a carefully considered manner.’

How to support someone following a domestic abuse disclosure