Child Safeguarding Policy

Shotocup is committed to providing a safer event environment for children and young people.

This Child Safeguarding Policy applies to Shotocup events, competitions, seminars, demonstrations, awards, and related activities involving minors.

For this policy, a child means a person under 18 years old.

01Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Promote child safety
• Reduce risk of harm
• Set conduct expectations
• Support proper reporting
• Guide staff, volunteers, coaches, officials, parents, and spectators
• Protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and inappropriate conduct

02Legal Framework

Shotocup operates in Bermuda and respects applicable Bermuda law, including the Children Act 1998 where relevant.

This policy supports responsible conduct around children at Shotocup events.

03Safeguarding Principles

Shotocup will:

• Treat children with respect
• Place child safety before event convenience
• Encourage appropriate supervision
• Respond to concerns seriously
• Avoid private one-to-one situations where possible
• Use appropriate language and behavior
• Protect children from humiliation, abuse, and unsafe conduct

04Parent and Guardian Responsibility

Parents and guardians remain responsible for their children during Shotocup events unless a written arrangement states otherwise.

Parents and guardians should:

• Know where their child is during the event
• Ensure their child reports to the correct division
• Ensure their child has required equipment
• Support respectful conduct
• Report concerns promptly
• Avoid leaving young children unsupervised

05Coach Responsibility

Coaches working with minors must:

• Use appropriate language
• Avoid intimidation or humiliation
• Keep physical contact appropriate and sport-related
• Avoid private one-to-one contact in isolated areas
• Respect parent and guardian roles
• Report safeguarding concerns
• Support athlete welfare over results

06Staff, Official, and Volunteer Responsibility

Shotocup staff, officials, and volunteers must:

• Treat children fairly
• Avoid inappropriate physical contact
• Avoid private isolated contact with a child
• Report concerns to event leadership
• Act quickly if a child appears unsafe or distressed
• Follow event safety procedures

07Inappropriate Conduct

The following conduct is not allowed:

• ✕Hitting or physically punishing a child
• ✕Sexual comments or sexual contact
• ✕Private messaging a child without appropriate reason and safeguards
• ✕Bullying or humiliating a child
• ✕Threatening a child
• ✕Using degrading language
• ✕Taking a child away from public event areas without permission
• ✕Sharing private images or information about a child without authority
• ✕Encouraging unsafe competition behavior

08Photography of Children

Shotocup may use event photography and video under its Photo and Media Release.

Photography of children must be respectful.

Images must not be used to embarrass, exploit, or target a child.

Parents or guardians with serious privacy concerns should contact Shotocup before the event.

09Changing Areas and Personal Care

Shotocup does not provide personal care for children.

Parents and guardians are responsible for helping children with changing, bathroom needs, and personal items.

Adults should not enter child changing areas unless they are a parent, guardian, venue staff member acting within their role, or authorized person responding to a safety issue.

10Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

Any concern about a child should be reported promptly.

Concerns may include:

• Suspected abuse
• Unsafe supervision
• Inappropriate adult behavior
• Child distress
• Bullying
• Threats
• Harassment
• Injury concern
• A child missing from expected location

Report concerns to event leadership or email:

11Serious or Immediate Risk

If a child appears to be in immediate danger, Shotocup staff or responsible adults should seek urgent help from venue security, emergency services, police, or other appropriate authorities.

12Confidentiality

Safeguarding concerns should be handled with care.

Information should be shared only with people who need the information to protect the child or respond properly.

13Consequences

Any person who breaches this policy may be removed from the event, refused future entry, reported to their school or association, or reported to the appropriate authorities where needed.