The Government of the Netherlands and the Dutch Olympic Committee*Dutch Sports Federation (NOC*NSF) are launching their national Start to Talk campaign on 6 November during a specially-designed conference co-organised by the Council of Europe.
The conference will be opened, and the campaign will be launched, with the screening of the Start to Talk video in Dutch.
Questions such as “who is responsible for preventing and responding to child abuse?”, “why is it so difficult for children to talk?”, “what happens after disclosure?” and “what should be done?” will be addressed by governmental experts, athletes, child protection advocates and national sports officials in a round table discussion. The afternoon session will focus on sharing experience and good practices on dealing with these critical issues. Participants will include members of the Council of Europe
The event will also be an occasion for the Council of Europe to launch the Start to Talk gallery of “silence breakers” and “game changers” on its dedicated website. “Silence breakers” are athletes, coaches, opinion leaders and other individuals who COMMIT to taking and promoting concrete MEASURES to stop sexual abuse of children in sport. “Game changers” are governments, organisations, institutions, federations, clubs and teams who are PARTNERING with us to introduce the CHANGES needed to make sport a safe and empowering environment FOR ALL CHILDREN.
Pool of experts on child protection in sport
How to join the Start to Talk initiative
“Start to Talk” is about adults breaking the silence and lending children a voice. It is a Council of Europe call for action to public authorities and the sport movement to stop child sexual abuse. By joining this call, governments, sports clubs, associations and federations, as well as athletes and coaches, pledge to take concrete measures to prevent and respond to abuse.
Did you know? 
