Athlete Protection
In order to provide a positive experience and a safe environment for athletes, this document provides specific, mandatory policies that must be followed at all levels of the organization. Policies are enforceable by the National Board of Review process. Consequences for breaking a policy include but are not limited to revocation of membership.
Also included are Best Practice Guidelines. These guidelines are best practice recommendations for adult-athlete interaction to best foster healthy boundaries. Guidelines are designed to help avoid or identify potentially inappropriate situations.
Athlete Protection Policies & Best Practice Guidelines .bmp)
The Importance of Reporting
USA Swimming strongly encourages the reporting of sexual misconduct by any member and appreciates your willingness to report inappropriate behavior. Providing specific information regarding abuse or suspected abuse helps USA Swimming to investigate the complaint, and, when appropriate, levy consequences, including revocation of membership.
Any individual with credible information involving sexual misconduct is required by USA Swimming's Code of Conduct, to report that information to our Athlete Protection Officer.
Please remember that child abuse and child sexual abuse is a crime. USA Swimming urges all individuals to also report to local law enforcement authorities.
Out of respect for the importance of this issue and to encourage honest and effective reporting, knowingly false or vindictive reporting will not be tolerated. Note, as per organizational policy, USA Swimming will report any incident of sexual misconduct involving a minor to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
