Groundbreaking Project KAIA Launched to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls in Football
- Save Today, Play Tomorrow
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
Birmingham County Football Association recently launched Project KAIA: Kick Against Injustice and Abuse, an initiative focused on tackling violence against women and girls across football.
Created in response to a noticeable rise in abuse within the female game, Project KAIA has been developed to help make football safer, more informed and more responsive for women and girls experiencing harm. Project KAIA began after Birmingham County FA identified worrying patterns of misogyny and abuse affecting the female provision, including mental, physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
Through both anonymous reporting and face to face engagement, women and girls were able to share concerns and disclosures safely. In one example highlighted during the project’s development, contact with one player led to engagement with 11 others and further disclosures being received in a safe environment.
Following these initial concerns, Birmingham County FA sought guidance from The FA’s national safeguarding team, which helped inform the next steps. This early action also contributed to police involvement and the creation of a dedicated planning group, with the initiative becoming known as Project KAIA. Since then, Birmingham County FA and their partners at West Midlands Police, have taken important steps to expand the programme, including the on-going development of an aligned reporting system and targeted education work with young boys to improve understanding and challenge harmful attitudes.
Project KAIA is also intended to help clubs, coaches, volunteers, players and communities recognise abuse, respond appropriately and play their part in creating safer environments throughout the game.
For more information about Project KAIA, please contact:
Sarah Willis
Head of Safeguarding, Birmingham County FA:
Vicky Mitchell
Female Pathway Lead, Birmingham County FA:
