FC Barcelona Foundation Addresses Child and Adolescent Sexual Violence in Sports and Leisure
On the 5th of October, the “Childhood and Adolescent Sexual Violence in the World of Sports and Leisure” event brought together more than two hundred professionals from the world of sports, leisure, and social services at the Auditorium 1899 of the Spotify Camp Nou. Over 200 individuals from the sports, leisure, and education fields gathered at the Auditorium 1899 of the Spotify Camp Nou for an event dedicated to sexual violence against children and adolescents in the realm of sports and leisure, organized by the FC Barcelona Foundation and the Child and Adolescent Violence Care Unit (EMMA TEAM) of the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital.
The event’s inauguration was led by Dr. Marta Segú, General Director of the FC Barcelona Foundation, and Dr. Josep Antoni Ramos Quiroga, Head of the Mental Health Service at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital.
Sexual violence against children is still a taboo topic. And these situations occur in the world of sports and leisure. We must be able to openly discuss this serious public health problem. We need to train the gaze of educators, monitors, and coaches not to normalize situations of risk for minors.
Dr. Marta Segú, FC Barcelona Foundation General Director
A Priority The General Director of the FC Barcelona Foundation explained that this issue “has always been a priority for our club, both at La Masía and the residence, and in the field of youth sports.” For the past four years, the club has been working with the Compliance department and various experts in preventing all types of violence against children. A year and a half ago, the FC Barcelona Child Protection System was launched, a highly innovative initiative, pioneering in Spain, which provides the necessary tools and protocols to prevent, detect early, and respond to this type of violence.
Dr. Ramos Quiroga, on the other hand, emphasized that the EMMA Team at Vall d’Hebron Hospital addresses this issue from a multidisciplinary perspective: pediatrics, mental health, and social services. He also highlighted the paradigm shift that has occurred:
Previously, it was hidden, not talked about. Now it is unacceptable, and professionals need protocols and the necessary tools to address it. Prevention is absolutely essential.
Dr. Ramos Quiroga, Head of the Mental Health Service at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital
According to data provided by Dr. Anna Fàbregas, coordinator of the EMMA team, it is estimated that 1 in 5 children experience or will experience some form of violence. But if we look at the incidence (reports, notifications, etc.), that percentage only reaches 10%. Therefore, it is just the tip of the iceberg.
The EMMA Team at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital is the reference unit for children and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence in the city of Barcelona. It also provides assistance and guidance to professionals in the sports and leisure industry who need to know how to handle such cases.
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