pointetheway

Sadly many become aware of the culture of these schools too late and often after harm has been done. That said, there are some excellent schools and teachers out there, but in the current climate it’s difficult to know which are which. There is no transparency. Everything is constantly kept so secret, even on forums such as this we are all too aware of the limitations. But we don’t have to sit back and take it. If you want to help you can message me or follow me on twitter. Sharing information is so important when making decisions that impact our children.

Latest news on how itv investigation led to the closure of a well known vocational ballet school. This is an essential read. if anyone has further information about this school or any other schools please check my posts for contact details or message me directly. Together we are making positive changes for safer dance. No comments here please (moderators you may wish to turn off posting). This is information only. Hit like and get this shared! https://www.itv.com/news/2020-08-27/how-our-investigation-into-a-prestigious-ballet-school-led-to-its-closure

No doubt you will have seen the news regarding a certain school now in liquidation. It doesn’t stop there. Police are investigating and want to hear from anyone with any information at all about their time there. Moderators.... now the school is in liquidation are you still under legal restrictions?

Hi Everyone First of all thank you so much to everyone who came forward since my post about dancer abuse last month. The courage it took to do something so brave is truly awe inspiring. You are amazing. When I posted my hope was to bring dancer abuse into the spotlight as the gymnasts have done and change how dance is governed for future generations throughout the UK. In light of the recent news reports I think we are now starting that journey. Thank you. Please continue to come forward to report any forms of abuse in dance throughout the UK, contact ballet@itv.com even if you tried in the past to make reports to boards and authorities, itv will listen. Please also make sure that memberships/academies are also aware. So do send in your complaints or concerns to RAD, ISTD and any other membership organisations that you think should be aware. Perhaps you need to raise a historic complaint again? You have a voice now. If any of these events have caused distress or triggering please do not hesitate to seek help. You can contact NSPCC helpline for support (they help parents too) for the whole of the UK. Children1st have a dedicated safety in sport unit (also hoping to cover dance) and a parent line for Scotland. NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 (UK) Children1st parentline 08000 28 22 33 (Scotland) Children1st safety in sport 419 11 56 (Scotland) Samaritans 116 123 (24 hours) (UK) Please do not comment about individuals or schools on this forum (legal implications and protection of children). This post is for information and just a small token of thanks to you all. Moderators you may choose to turn off commenting. You can always contact me by private message if you would like to. Thank you. If you wish to see the news stories links have been posted in this forum under the links to events and news section. @pointetheway #pointetheway

A news story broke today in the national papers and on ITV news. Do not mention the school on here in comments please, there are important legal reasons why for this forum. In addition there are many of you coming forward about a range of schools across the UK. please contact in confidence: ballet@itv.com if you have suffered or witnessed abuse. Again, please do not post details on this forum, it is important we protect the identities of those involved. It is the bravery of the gymnasts coming forward that has led to a wider investigation now capturing the dance world. Follow #gymnastalliance to find out more and how they are progressing. We can make dancing a healthy and safe environment for all, it takes brave people coming forward to start the changes. #danceralliance

If we can get the same helpline and independent review as the gymnasts then we will be working towards removing those repercussions. It takes very brave souls to come forward. As with the gymnasts helpline the cases can remain completely confidential but relevant details passed to the authorities we just need enough coming forward now to try and get the same set up for dancers across the UK and yes as you say this will take some people coming forward with their details now. It is always up to the individual what details they share but above all it’s important to get them the help and support they need. If we replicate the gymnasts approach of coming forward and how they got their help maybe dancers can start to heal too. We can only try. Again, many thanks to those coming forward all over the UK. I don’t have details but I do know there are many, keep spreading the word. It is encouraging and I am keeping hope.

Hi everyone - quick update for you all A big thank you to those brave people stepping up across the UK for justice and change. The gymnast helpline reviews are great and many are now getting the help and support they should have had a long time ago. Also more of their cases are going into the independent review. If more people come forward for DANCING across the UK (and beyond) then we too could have the same. So far the response has been very good. Please spread the word. No one needs to suffer in silence, we can get the support we need. Please contact me for details in the strictest confidence and remember to protect this forum by not discussing or making any allegations on here. Thanks

Please let’s focus on getting justice through the same means proven by the journalists for gymnasts. This forum like any other has Legal restrictions whether they like them or not. Be smart and use the forum carefully for good. if you want to use your voice, or if you don’t and want anonymous x either way contact me. Together we can make the future better 🥰

I am merely using this forum as a sign post to try get positive change. We don’t need to go into any details on here. In addition it is important to protect anyone who has been subject to anything similar to Athlete A by not naming them and by not giving any details that lead to discovery or impede potential investigations. gymnasts are speaking out through media and now through independent inquiry and are receiving support. I am seeking merely to replicate this same approach for dancers by putting them in touch with the journalist who has helped the gymnasts. i hope in some way this can help others, be that telling their story (not on here) via media, or by adding themselves to the numbers speaking up anonymously so that attention can be brought to this and drive positive change. Is it uncomfortable? yes. Is it scary? Yes. No one wants to have to do this but but is it needed? YES stay strong, stay brave and stay true to what you believe is right. please see my posts above if you have been or witnessed similar. I can put you in touch. x

For anyone worried about confidentiality the journalists can provide guarantees. Though it’s always good to have people willing to add their name to a story, this isn’t necessary, they can also offer lifetime guaranteed anonymity. They often do in cases of abuse to protect individuals and their family. please do not be put off if you have tried complaining to organisations and authorities in the past. Often the media are able to help achieve justice where none was given before. It is their involvement that lead to gymnasts being heard now. You can be heard too. let’s right those wrongs and get everyone the help they deserve. Xxx

Hi Everyone Firstly thank you to the very courageous individuals who have already contacted me for details of the journalist. He is very interested in hearing stories about abuse in dancing (he brought forward the gymnast stories in the UK off the back of Netflix Athlete A). He now has another journalist helping him with responses so when you get in touch please contact both. private message me and I will send you the email addresses. The response is very encouraging so far but we still need more to come forward. The scale of the gymnasts stories in the news has resulted in an independent review and a dedicated help line and support for victims (set up last Monday). It would be great to get the same attention and support for victims in dance. These journalist would like to help. please do not discuss any individual circumstances of abuse publicly on here (to protect individuals and their families and in particular children). Contact me in confidence by direct message, I don’t need to know who you are or why you are getting in touch, I will just provide you with their contact details. Let’s get everyone the support they deserve and change the future for the better!

I want to reassure that confidentiality and protection of children’s identities will always be a priority. I would only seek to be a conduit passing on the contact details Of the journalist I have to anyone who requires the details. The journalist is looking for information to assist with investigations, for example I have suggested looking at information requests to local authorities to see how many complaints get passed to them. The number of complaints raised versus upheld at vocational schools. If anyone wants to tell their story (some have agreed to speak to the journalist about own experiences) then that is ok too. Just look at the momentum we have now. It’s time we didn’t accept the abusive culture as a norm for dancers and elite athletes. I think this could be our best shot. The journalist is Steve Scott at ITV. He has again posted more stories today about more gymnasts coming forward. You can follow him on twitter or insta. You can private message him on insta. He will keep your confidence unless you say otherwise. if you want his direct email then you can contact me via private message on here. Thank you

Hi Everyone, Since the release of the horrific stories in Athlete A can I encourage you to speak out for anyone who has experienced the same in dancing or witnessed it. I have a top UK journalist who wants to blow the lid off abuse in dance. Maybe now gymnasts have come forward we can do the same for the dance world too? If you wish to do this please email me and I can give you contact details. The journalist in question has been instrumental in top British gymnasts coming forward. Everything shared is strictly confidential given the sensitivities of involving minors in some cases, but the journalist is really keen on investigating and would be happy to be pointed in the right direction. Let’s do this and put an end to future physical and emotional suffering and broken dreams. I hope you will feel confident enough to come forward. Please send me a message and I can give you contact details in confidence. You can choose to remain anonymous. Who knows we may even get dance regulated at last too!! I am a parent too. x #westandtogether #gymnastalliance