Promoting Safeguarding in the World of Soccer

S.C.P. Japan (Representative: Yuko Inoue) has been engaged in the "Project to Build a Child Protection (Safeguarding) System in Sports" since April 2025, supported by a grant from The Nippon Foundation. This project aims to establish a practical safeguarding framework within Japanese sports settings, drawing upon international expertise in safeguarding. This includes the "Consensus Statement on Interpersonal Violence and Safeguarding in Sport" published by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2024, and various safeguarding resources released by the International Football Association (FIFA), such as "FIFA Guardians."

As part of this initiative, S.C.P. Japan, in cooperation with the Japan Football Association (JFA), has developed e-learning materials and practical guides for learning about safeguarding. Furthermore, the Japan Professional Football League (J.League) is participating as a promotional partner in the utilization of these resources.

What is Safeguarding? — The Concept of Safety and Security in Sports as Outlined by the IOC Consensus—

In recent years, the concepts of "Safe Sport" and "Safeguarding" have gained international importance in the sports world. The IOC defines Safe Sport as "a supportive environment where participants can be physically and psychologically safe and fully enjoy the benefits of sports participation." Safeguarding is defined as "all proactive efforts to prevent concerns about harassment and abuse in sport and to respond appropriately to them," and it also includes promoting approaches that comprehensively enhance athlete well-being.

This perspective views safety and security in sports as a comprehensive system that goes beyond post-incident punishment for violence and harassment issues, encompassing:

• Development of policies and codes of conduct
• Implementation of prevention measures (awareness-raising, education, appropriate screening)
• Establishment of early detection mechanisms
• Appropriate response and protection of victims centered on human rights

This approach is becoming the standard in the international sports community, recognizing that the creation of such systems (safeguarding initiatives) is indispensable for achieving Safe Sport. However, challenges remain in Japan and the Asian region, where the accumulation of knowledge and practical implementation of safeguarding are not yet sufficient.

■Practical Guides for On-Site Use Released

Addressing these challenges in Japan, this project was launched with the aim of promoting safeguarding domestically.

Under the supervision of Professor Katsumi Mori (Nippon Sport Science University), an expert in child rights and safeguarding and a member of the advisory board for the IOC Safeguarding Officer Training Course, and the Japan Safe Sports Project, a specialized organization for safe sports, two types of practical guides have been created to be useful for on-site application.

1. The Basics of Safeguarding (Safeguarding Promotion Guide)

This