3 | Human rights risks and challenges
•
Sport New Zealand resources and online
training in relation to safeguarding
children
•
the development of a child-friendly
guide to accompany the Australian
Government’s National Strategy to Prevent
and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse (20212030).
In Aotearoa New Zealand, ‘core children’s workers’
of government funded entities are required by the
Children’s Act 2014 (New Zealand) to undergo police
checks before engaging in work with children,
however sports volunteers are not (although it is
recommended). Some sports organisations may
require criminal history checks for volunteers,
but many do not, with barriers including cost and
privacy concerns.75
32
Sport New Zealand has now released guidelines76
that recommend the best practice is to engage a
police check for any person who has regular contact
with children or young people, whether a coach,
manager, supervisor or volunteer, someone who
drives children to activities or events, and anyone
responsible for overnight trips away. However,
these guidelines and recommendations are not
enforceable by law.77 In Australia, laws that require
Working with Children Checks are regulated
by states and territories and vary accordingly.
Stakeholders commented on challenges arising in
relation to complexities and the lack of regulatory
harmonisation in this area.
According to the PFA submission, since 1991, 86
players under the age of 18 have participated
in a FIFA Women’s World Cup. Additionally, it
is expected that children will participate in the
tournament as:
•
spectators
•
members of workers’ families both
prior to and during the competition,
as participants in Fanfests and