Academic speaks out about the 'hidden' violence plaguing the sports world

AN academic at Edge Hill University's new Centre for Child Protection and Safeguarding in Sport has voiced concerns about the 'hidden' violence plaguing the sports world. Dr Melanie Lang, a Senior Lecturer in Child Protection in Sport, delivered a keynote speech presenting research into non-sexual violence and non-physical abuse which is a big yet often hidden problem within sport. With sexual violence estimated to account for between 0.5% to 17% of cases in sport and physical abuse 11% to 24%, it's the remaining forms of interpersonal violence (IV) such as sexual harassment (1% to 64%), psychological/emotional abuse (38% to 75%) and bullying (10% to 79%) that make up the biggest proportion of abuse. Dr Lang said:- "While the issues of sexual and physical abuse are vitally important it is often the more common forms of abuse that are overlooked and hidden within sport. Interpersonal violence occurs in all levels of sport and frequently intersects with other forms of oppression. Certain groups of people are at higher risk of IV including elite level athletes, women, anyone from a minority background, with a disability or anyone who identifies as:- gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and non binary. Typically, the perpetrators are (male) coaches, but women and peer athletes also commit IV due to power imbalances in relationships with athletes. Unfortunately, far too many athletes find themselves disempowered by their status, age and knowledge, for instance, putting them at high risk of 1  of these forms of violence."

Dr Lang is now calling for all sports to firstly recognise IV and secondly make sure policies and procedures are in place to deal with it effectively when it occurs. She added:- "Much more research is needed on all forms of IV across all sports and all levels encompassing both adult and child victims. All sports need to practice good governance from national sports organisations and European policy makers to people who run, manage and govern sports. On the most basic level this means recognising IV so everyone knows what it is and isn't, and codes of conduct should be in place. When it does occur, there should be clear disciplinary procedures in place and processes to follow to safeguard those affected and other athletes."

Dr Lang is 1  of 9  academics from across the social science, sport, health and education departments who are founding members of the new Centre for Child Protection and Safeguarding in Sport at Edge Hill. The Centre is at the forefront of research on the prevention of all forms of abuse, exploitation and maltreatment in sport.

Topaz tackles match day Taxi touts

A Liverpool Cabbie who tried to con football fans into paying over the odds for a trip from Anfield back to their Hotel has been hit with a hefty fine. Hackney Carriage driver Girwel Singh, was caught as part of an ongoing City Council crackdown, called:- 'Operation Topaz,' which aims to protect the public from match day Taxi scams. Magistrates in Liverpool heard that 36 year old, Singh was parked on Walton Breck Road, close to Anfield Stadium, for Liverpool's home match against Burnley, back in March 2019.  Undercover Council Licensing Officers, who were patrolling as part of Operation Topaz, witnessed Singh talking with a group of passengers before letting them into his car. As Singh drove off the Officers noticed that he had not switched his meter on. They followed him to The Hilton Hotel in Liverpool City Centre and spoke to him as his passengers got out.  When asked why he had not switched his meter on, Singh claimed the group were his friends and he was not charging them for the trip. But a conversation with the passengers revealed that Singh had quoted them ₤20 for the journey, which would have cost just ₤7.50 with the meter on. During the incident, the Officers also noticed that Singh was not wearing his official badge, which is also an offence. Singh, of Plummer Street, Liverpool, admitted the offences and was ordered to pay a total of ₤600 in fines and costs.  Operation Topaz has been specifically designed to protect football fans from being exploited by unscrupulous drivers on match days. Typical offences include:- Private Hire drivers accepting fares that have not been pre-booked and Hackney drivers not switching the meter on. In most cases, the passengers are charged excessive amounts for journeys into the City Centre, or to the Airport. Last season 17 hackney carriage drivers were reported for demanding higher fares than they would have received from a metered trip; an offence also known as cherry picking. A further 18 Private Hire drivers were reported for 'plying for hire,' which means they agreed to take a fare that had not been booked in advance. In other recent cases under Operation Topaz, Wirral Private Hire driver Nasir Uddin was ordered to pay ₤475 in fines and costs and given 6  points for plying for hire and driving without insurance. Whilst Private Hire driver Mohammed Rafiqul Islam also from Wirral had to pay ₤525 in fines and costs and given 6  points for the same offences.

Chair of Liverpool City Council's Licensing Committee, Cllr Christine Banks said:- "What started as a quick chance to get a few extra pounds out of his passengers turned into a costly experience for this driver. The City Council protects members of the public from being ripped off and visitors to our City don't deserve to be treated as easy pickings by the small number of drivers who are willing to exploit them. Our Officers will be patrolling matches throughout the season and anyone caught flouting the law will be prosecuted, so it is simply not worth the risk. Our message to members of the public is clear if you are travelling by Private Hire, always book in advance and if you are travelling by black cab, make sure the driver switches the meter on."

For more information about Taxi issues in Liverpool, visit:- Liverpool.Gov.UK and search for:- 'Taxi licensing.'

Fact File:-

►Hackney Carriage vehicles (often referred to as black cabs):- This form of transport can be hired off the street or by using a designated Hackney Carriage rank. If you are using a Hackney Carriage vehicle from areas within the City Centre to get to and from Liverpool Football Club, then the cost of that journey should be in the Region of between ₤7 and ₤9. A driver can only charge you what is on the Taxi meter.

►Private Hire vehicles:- There are a number of Private Hire companies that operate within the Liverpool City boundary. If you are using Private Hire vehicles please note that they must be pre-booked via Phone/App technology.

City of Liverpool seeks to protect live music venues

LIVERPOOL City Council has officially adopted a policy which will safeguard the future of the City's live music venues. The:- "Agent of Change" principle looks to protect the rights of established venues in those instances where occupants of new residential developments complain about noise levels.

A report which has been presented to City Council's Cabinet, on Friday, 27 September 2019, recommends that the City Council commit to lobby the Government for further powers to ensure developers are fully responsible for ensuring any noise emanating from music venues would not impact on occupants. Importantly, it would not be down to the music venue to make any adaptations.

The Agent of Change principle is set out within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and has already been adopted by the Mayor of London in his plan for the capital. The action comes as a result of recommendations from the Liverpool City Region Music Board which acts as the voice of the sector. The pledge also forms part of Liverpool's UNESCO City of Music status and its commitment to protecting and enhancing the City's music industry.

Councillor Wendy Simon, Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, said:- "The live music offer in this City is unparalleled and we need to preserve it moving forward. For us as a UNESCO City of Music, adopting this new way of working is a priority and I hope it encourages other authorities to follow suit."

Kevin McManus, Liverpool's Head of UNESCO City of Music and Music Board member, said:- "It's the law that any entertainment venue moving into a residential area needs to take measures to ensure they don't cause noise problems for those nearby; so why wouldn't the same apply for new developments that are built near established music businesses? Too often, music venues become a victim of developers and we are seeing increasing issues in the City at the moment. The Baltic Triangle is a prime example and if we can adopt the Agent of Change policy we can ensure that our enviable music scene and the City's regeneration ambitions can co-exist."

Michael Eakin, Chair of the Music Board and Chief Executive Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, said:- "Music is a 1  of the most important economic strengths of the Liverpool City Region, contributing significant employment and investment, and playing a major role in the visitor economy. The vibrant live music scene is critical to that continuing success, and, indeed, to stimulating new development and regeneration in the City. We must not allow such regeneration to put our successful venues at risk. A strong adoption of Agent of Change is a priority for the Music Board. It will allow the music economy and the City's development to continue to grow hand in hand and we support Liverpool City Council in its intention to adopt this policy."