IN an effort to shed light on the issue of abuse in sport, a discussion on safeguarding children was held on Thursday evening at St Benedict School.
After supporting victims of abuse for about six years, founder of Women and Men Against Child Abuse Athletes Against Child Abuse, Olivia Jasriel said she noticed the importance of having an organisation of this nature in the country.
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For the past six years, Jasriel has been assisting a group of about 30 women who are victims of abuse, have children who are victims of abuse, those who are in the court process or have come through the court process.
“We have identified that the problem of abuse and sexual abuse in sport in South Africa is much bigger than anyone could have imagined,” she said.
In October last year, Jasriel partnered with Debbie Wade when they established that their common goal was to try and combat abuse of children in sport.
“WMACA (Women and Men Against Child Abuse) was part of my journey for the past 11 years and with their support and backing, WMACA athletes against child abuse was born on the 22 April 2021.
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“By 31 May 2021, we had 18 cases which we are actively working with. We have attended three different courts, with victims, in three provinces. June is purely case management and in July we will be conducting court advocacy for five cases, three in Gauteng, 12 in Durban and one in Cape Town,” said Jasriel.
“The consequences of speaking out for a child are far less than the consequences a child suffers if we do not speak out. To not speak out makes us, the adults and the protectors, as guilty as the perpetrators. Imagine, if we are afraid to speak up for children, how terrifying it must be for them to speak up for themselves,” said a vocal Jasriel.
She added that their organisation will be focused on education and prevention, victim support and advocacy.
“We have extensive knowledge and experience in working with the justice system and we know it will be very valuable to others.
“We, however, cannot do this without funding and in order for us to operate at maximum capacity, WMACA athletes against child abuse needs you to help us help the children out there who have been victims and are victims of the terrible abuse that is happening at the hands of their coaches,” she said.
Among the panel was Robyn Kinghorn, the 2020 aQuelle Midmar Mile winner.
The open water swimmer said it was important to create awareness on abuse in sport.
“I really feel the matter is not being given enough attention. I decided to be part of this organisation as it it is refreshing to see a group of individuals unite to fight abuse.
The 21-year-old has represented South Africa in South Korea at the 2019 FINA World Championships for Open Water. She also represented South Africa in Israel at the 2018 FINA Junior World Championships for Open Water. In 2017 she represented the country in Hungary at the 2017 FINA World Championships for Open Water and in 2016 she was one of South Africa’s representatives FINA Junior World Championships for Open Water held in Netherlands.
The Durban North resident said she started swimming at the age of five. She became passionate about the sport and has never stopped.
“I truly hope we can make a difference. Being involved in sport opens so many opportunities and I would hate to see children’s talent being wasted just because they are being abused,” she said.
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