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Photographs and
Images of Children
There have been concerns
about the risks posed directly and indirectly to children and young people
through the use of photographs on sports web sites and other publications.
Photographs can be used as a means of identifying children when they are
accompanied with personal information, for example, - this is X who is a member
of the Melksham Sport’s club and who likes Westlife. This information can make
a child vulnerable to an individual who may wish to start to "groom"
that child for abuse. Secondly the content of the photo can be used or adapted
for inappropriate use. There is evidence of this adapted material finding its
way onto child pornography sites.
Sporting
organisations and clubs need to develop a policy in relation to the use of
images of children and young people on their web sites and in other
publications. The sport will need to make decisions about the type of images
they consider suitable and that appropriately represent the sport, without
putting children at increased risk. You should ensure that parents support their
policy. When assessing the potential risks in the use of images of a child, the
most important factor is the potential for inappropriate use of images of
children.
If sporting
organisations are aware of the potential risks and take appropriate steps the
potential for misuse of images can be reduced.
The
CPSU would advise sporting bodies to:
-
Consider
using models or illustrations if you are promoting an activity.
-
Avoid
the use of the first name and surname of individuals in a photograph. This
reduces the risk of inappropriate, unsolicited attention from people within and
outside the sport.
Easy
rules to remember are:
-
If the child
is named, avoid using their photograph.
-
If
a photograph is used, avoid naming the child.
-
Ask
for the child’s permission to use their image. This ensures that they are
aware of the way the image is to be used to represent the sport. A Child’s
Permission Form is one way of achieving this.
-
Ask
for parental permission to use an image of a young person. This ensures that
parents are aware of the way the image of their child is representing the sport.
A Parental Permission Form is one way of achieving this.
-
Only
use images of children in suitable dress to reduce the risk of inappropriate
use. With regard to the actual content it is difficult to specify exactly what
is appropriate given the wide diversity of sports. However there are clearly
some sports activities - swimming, gymnastics and athletics for example when the
risk of potential misuse is much greater than for other sports. With these
sports the content of the photograph should focus on the activity not on a
particular child and should avoid full face and body shots. So for example shots
of children in a pool would be appropriate or if poolside, waist or shoulder up.
-
Create
a recognised procedure for reporting the use of inappropriate images to reduce
the risks to children. Follow your child protection procedures, ensuring both
your sports child protection officer and the Social Services and/or Police are
informed.
First
steps and things to think about:
-
Establish
the type of images that appropriately represent the sport for the Web and other
media.
-
Think
about the level of consideration you give to the use of images of children in
other publications, for example, the processes involved in choosing appropriate
images for the newsletter or magazine. Apply an increased level of consideration
to the images of children and young people used in the web site.
-
Guidelines
for Use of Photographic Filming Equipment at Sporting Events
-
Provide
a clear brief about what is considered appropriate in terms of content and
behaviour.
-
Issue
the photographer with identification which must be worn at all times.
-
Inform
children and parents that a photographer will be in attendance at an event and
ensure they consent to both the taking and publication of films or photographs.
-
Do
not allow unsupervised access to children or one to one photo sessions at
events.
-
Do
not approve/allow photo sessions outside the events or at an child’s home.
-
If
parents or other spectators are intending to photograph or video at an event
they should also be made aware of your expectations.
-
Spectators
should be asked to register at an event if they wish to use photographic
equipment.
-
Children
and parents should be informed that if they have concerns they can report these
to the organiser.
-
Concerns
regarding inappropriate or intrusive photography should be reported to the event
organiser or official and recorded in the same manner as any other child
protection concern.
Child
Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) - Briefing Paper Issued 16 July, 2001
In 1999 Focus
on Children claimed the proportion of internet users accessing child porn in
Ireland was second only to the Netherlands.
Further evidence of this is Operation Amethyst, Ireland, June 2002.
In January
2001 the Wonderland Club (an international child sexual abuse ring) which traded
obscene images and videos of children was identified.
To join a member had to provide 10,000 images.
The youngest victim was 3 months old.
The BBC2
programme, A Hunt for Britain’s
Paedophiles in June 2002, highlighted the use of photography and the use of
video images. |
