4.9 Confidentiality and information sharing

In Course 2, you looked at the role of confidentiality and information sharing in safeguarding when receiving and responding to reports. These principles apply to all information about a reported concern – including the details of the alleged victim, abuser, or witnesses.

Confidentiality helps make sure that sensitive information is not widely and unnecessarily shared – within the organisation, in the wider community, or in the media.

Information sharing helps make sure that information is shared with individuals with a specific role to play in responding to the concern (within the sport or in external organisations), and/or those who have a need or right to know.

The basis for both principles is to safeguard and protect all parties involved, and to ensure that a fair investigation can take place. You might wish to remind yourself of the fuller details on these two principles.