Last week Andy Woodward showed tremendous courage to speak publicly about the sexual abuse he suffered as a young aspiring footballer.
He and subsequently three other PFA members (Steve Walters, Paul Stewart and David White) have each waived their right to anonymity to speak about their personal experiences of abuse.
We hope as a result of the bravery shown by the three players, that any other members who have been the victim of abuse will have the confidence to come forward and report their own experiences.
The PFA are here to support any members who have been affected by this issue.
We have an infrastructure in place to help counsel and advise members with regards to their current situation and their future.
We are here to help regardless of whether you have told the police or anyone else about the assault.
All of our services are confidential, which means that we will not share any information with your family, the police or anyone else without your permission.
Contact the PFA confidentially on:
- Email: wellbeing@thepfa.co.uk
- 24/7 PFA counselling helpline: 07500 000 777
- Head of Player Welfare, Michael Bennett: Login for Michael's mobile number.
- Main office number: 0161 236 0575
Further support resources:
NAPAC (the National Association for People Abused in Childhood)
Tel support line: 0808 801 0331 (free from UK landlines or mobiles and is totally confidential).
Web: napac.org.uk
The UK’s leading national charity offering support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse, including physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect.
NSPCC Football Hotline: 0800 023 2642
The hotline will be available 24 hours a day.
The FA, reporting concerns...
Web: thefa.com/news/2016/Sep/21/reporting-concerns
Reporting a concern about a child is everyone’s responsibility – here’s how you do it.
Mankind
Tel: 01273 911 680
Email: admin@mankindcounselling.org.uk
Website: mankindcounselling.org.uk
Provides one-to-one counselling, therapeutic groups and couple counselling to men (age 18+) who have experienced sexual abuse at any time in their lives.
Survivors UK
Tel: 020 3598 3898
Email: help@survivorsuk.org
Web: survivorsuk.org
Support for men who have been raped or sexually abused. Also provides webchat, face-to-face counselling and support groups in the London area.
HAVOCA (Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse)
Web: havoca.org
Provides information to any adult who is suffering from past childhood abuse. Website includes survivors' forum.
Lifecentre
Adult helpline: 0844 847 7879
Under 18s helpline: 0808 802 0808
Web: lifecentre.uk.com
Telephone counselling for survivors of sexual abuse and those supporting survivors.
One in four
Web: oneinfour.org.uk
Advocacy service, counselling service (available over skype and in several languages) and information for people who have experienced sexual abuse.
The Lantern Project
Web: lanternproject.org.uk
Help and support for survivors of sexual abuse. Information library on website, and survivors' online forum.
The Survivors Trust
Web: thesurvivorstrust.org
UK network of support organisations for survivors of rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse. Offers extensive information resources plus details of your local specialist.
NSPCC
Confidential 24 hour helpline: 0808 800 5000
Web: nspcc.org.uk
Childline
Telephone helpline for children and young people: 0800 1111
Web: childline.org.uk