NSPCC has launched hotline for Footballers Sexually abused By TTheir Coaches, Following Confessions of 4 victims

A specific hotline has been launched for footballers who were abused by their coaches. Children's charity the NSPCC launched the number after four ex-players spoke publicly about being sexually abused by coaches as children.

This week four former players have spoken out about abuse by coaches; Namely,

David White, Andy Woodward, Steve Walters and ex-Tottenham forward Paul Stewart have all told their story. Woodward, 43, was abused by former Crewe coach and youth football scout Barry Bennell, who was later convicted for sex offences against children. The horrific case is reminiscent of Exeter football coach Anthony Mitchell who was jailed for 21 years in 2015 for drugging and raping young boys in his team. Mitchell took over an Exeter youth football team in the 1970s and used it as a way of gaining access to vulnerable 11 and 12 year-old boys who he abused during overnight trips.

His attacks left his victims with severe psychological harm and contributed to one of them turning down the chance to become a professional after being offered trials at Tottenham and Manchester United. Mitchell was a night shift worker at the time and persuaded his GP to prescribe him huge quantities of the strong sleeping pill Mogadon which he used to drug his victims. He was jailed for 21 years at Exeter Crown Court as a Judge praised the courage of his two victims and told him he had stolen their childhoods. Sports officials in Exeter have reviewed safeguarding procedures as a result of the case.

An NSPCC spokesperson for South West England said: "Anthony Mitchell's victims showed great bravery in coming forward and their strength highlights the importance of survivors of abuse speaking out – safe in the knowledge their voices will be heard. "Since Mitchell put his victims through their horrifying ordeals in the 1970s, the FA has made significant progress and we welcome the association's commitment to helping those in the game get the help and support they need. "There must be no hiding place for sexual abuse in football and there may be many others who suffered through such horrors as young players but have never come forward.

Sue Ravenlaw, Head of Equality and Safeguarding from the FA said:

"The courage and dignity being shown by Andy Woodward, Steve Walters and Paul Stewart is immense." "We join Andy, the police and others in the continued efforts to encourage more victims and survivors to come forward. We urge people to utilise this specific NSPCC helpline to gain support and advice." NSPCC figures show that boys are over 5 times less likely to speak up about sexual abuse than girls. In 2015/16 Childline conducted 1,193 counselling sessions with boys about sexual abuse, compared with 6,486 girls. The NSPCC and FA are now urging players and others involved in football from grassroots to Premier League to speak up using the NSPCC football hotline.

The dedicated NSPCC hotline, supported by the Football Association, will be available 24 hours a day on 0800 023 2642.