One of the principles and objects of the Federation is to:

"uphold these principles and objects and generally to take such measures as may seem expedient for advancing the international interests of the Games whilst upholding a commitment to non-racial and non-discriminatory sport".

• WCF Child Protection Guidance (1.2mb) (Adobe pdf format)
• WCFCP Form 1 Under Age Release and Indemnity (100kb) (Adobe pdf format)
• WCFCP Form 2 Child Protection Medical Information (50kb) (Adobe pdf format)

At the WCF General Meeting held at Cheltenham on 9th August 2005, the WCF Members voted to accept a proposal that WCF adopt a Child Protection Policy that would require all WCF Members to have in place, Child Protection Procedures no later than 31st December 2006.

The policy was unanimously adopted and is reflected in WCF Rules 102.1.1.7, 102.1.2.5 and 102.3.1.2. as below:-
"The Association must be able to demonstrate that it fully supports the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child by incorporating within its own Rules of Association, written child protection procedures commensurate with their National State laws relating to the Convention".

Many WCF members already have such procedures in place, but many others do not, particularly those that will aspire to full membership in due course.

As part of the programme of WCF support for its members, a WCF Child Protection Policy Guidance document and ancillary forms have now been prepared and are available for download from the WCF web site above. It consists of a requirement to appoint a person to be responsible for the Association Child Protection Procedures and guidance to members on what they should incorporate within their own child protection procedures and how to deal with certain situations as they arise.

The WCF Guidance reflects the fact that WCF membership covers nations that may have a different cultural and ethical approach. Therefore individual WCF Members should select the most appropriate parts that are compatible to their own jurisdictions.

However, the policy they adopt or have adopted, should always reflect the requirement of:-
1.1 The welfare of the child is paramount;
1.2 All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity, have the right to protection from abuse;
1.3 All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately;
1.4 All staff (paid/unpaid) working in sport have a responsibility to report concerns to the appropriate officer.

Updated April 11, 2008