Ex-Sports Minister Tracey Crouch criticises delay over law on Sports coach sexual relations

To optimise for archiving, the original image and related documents associated with this article have been removed.

Tracey Crouch, who resigned as Sport Minister in November 2018 has criticised the government for failing to protect “vulnerable people” in relation to the proposed law on sports coaches and sexual relations.

The law to make it illegal for sports coaches to have sexual relations with 16 and 17-year-old in their care was first announced in 2017, but is still yet to come in. Crouch described the law as a “no-brainer” and said that "Frustratingly it seems to have got bogged down in bureaucracy at the Ministry of Justice, the department that owns the legislation."

Ms Crouch's comments come just days after an inquiry found the Lawn Tennis Association missed repeated warnings about bullying and sexual abuse at one of the UK's top tennis centres. CEO of NSPCC agreed that it was “absolutely outrageous” the law had not yet been introduced.

The Ministry of Justice said in a statement: "We remain absolutely committed to protecting children and young people from the horrors of sexual abuse…we continue to keep the law under review. If brought in, the law would bring sports coaches in line with some other professionals - including teachers, doctors and social workers.

For more information visit the BBC here.

You may also like

View All

PREM Rugby is recruiting an Operations & Compliance Manager to support its Salary Cap Director

PREM Rugby is recruiting a Salary Cap Operations & Compliance Manager with strong data and numeracy skills, and experience in sports administration or a related field. The role will support the Salary Cap Director in managing the operational and compliance aspects of the salary cap and its regulations

Read More

The Football Association v Lucas Paquetá

A decision in the case of The Football Association against Lucas Paquetá has been issued by the Independent Regulatory Commission

Read More

Minimum salaries introduced in WSL and WSL2, along with other vital wellbeing support

After an extensive consultation with the Professional Footballers’ Association, Women’s Super League and Women’s Super League 2 footballers will be given a minimum salary level. A mandatory performance wellbeing role within all clubs will also be introduced

Read More