Policy Refresher from Swim Irelands Head of Safeguarding, Ethics & Youth Development
"Swim Ireland has a rule that forbids the use of any device in a changing area, and the policy regarding this is here. This rule has been imposed predominantly to protect young people and to help them understand the potential severity of being accused of taking photos in a changing area. This may seem fun at the time but may in fact amount to a criminal offence. Not only is it a Swim Ireland rule to have all devices off in a changing area but taking photographs/videos in a changing area may be reported to An Garda Siochana or PSNI as a potentially criminal offence.
Using a device in a changing area, or having a device switched on in a changing area can result in:
Immediate disciplinary action is imposed by a Person in Charge i.e. coach or team manager, depending on the circumstances. The immediate sanctions that can be imposed are a verbal warning; a written warning; time out; suspension from the event or training. These sanctions are in line with immediate sanctions open to a Person in Charge according to the Swim Ireland Complaints and Disciplinary rules.
Further disciplinary action can be imposed by a C&D committee which can result in (for a low offence such as the first time it happens) a written warning for 12 months with a fine of between €50 – 100 or suspension for up to 3 months with the option of a fine. This involves a report being submitted to the C&D committee and an outcome being decided without delay. This can be appealed; however, the objective is to ensure young people are safe when using changing areas.
Immediate suspension of the alleged individual taking photographs will be imposed if it is suspected that inappropriate images have been taken; the matter is reported to An Garda Siochana or the PSNI and the individual alleged to be responsible is suspended from all Swim Ireland activities usually for the period of the investigation. If the matter is reported to An Garda Siochana or the PSNI the alleged individual may be subject to disciplinary action on the conclusion of the police investigation.
In all scenarios above, if the person is under 18 the parent/carer must always be contacted.
I am asking the committee to support the CCO by writing out to all club members to ensure they are aware of the seriousness of this and that everyone works together to protect young people who may see this as harmless fun, but in reality, this may severely impact on their future in the sport. Some young people have been removed from sport for a period of time and others have been permanently excluded. When the policy and rule was initially introduced there was a decrease in incidents, however this is now on the rise, and young people are being affected. Taking photos in a changing room is a potentially criminal action, is traumatic for anyone being photographed and can result in a young person being excluded or suspended. Parents/carers need to take charge of explaining the potential dangers to their child/children in the most appropriate way and ensure they have their phone away whilst in a changing area. No-one needs to use a phone whilst they are changing for sport, any messages or calls can be made before entering the changing area or on leaving it.
There are some very specific exceptions to having a phone on and present during a training session, e.g. when used as a medical monitor for diabetes; however, the parent/carer should have alerted the coach and relevant persons in the club of this need, and the phone whilst being on doesn’t not need to be out whilst getting changed. It can be carried out to the poolside according to the arrangement made with the coach.
It is also just as important that young people and adults know who to report to i.e. their coach, parent/carer, friend and that these people know to pass it onto the CCO. If a phone is discovered and reported immediately – the person in charge can impose an immediate sanction; if a report is made subsequent to the incident, this should be submitted to a C&D committee for sanction. It is therefore vital that clubs have a C&D committee set up and ready to go. If not, this potentially leaves young people at risk caused by the delay in taking necessary action."
Here is a link to Swim Ireland Safeguarding Policies