What is SafeSport?

USA Swimming is committed to fostering a fun, healthy and safe environment for all of its members.  SafeSport is a comprehensive abuse prevention program, that uses a multi-layered approach to keep kids safe. It includes required policies and best practice guidelines; mandatory screening of coaches and volunteers; training and education; monitoring, supervision and mandatory reporting. 

To learn more about SafeSport, visit the USA Swimming Safe Sport Home Page. 

 

Dealing with a Concern

For issues dealing with:

  • Peer-to-peer bullying,
  • Coach-athlete bullying
  • Parent issues
  • Violations of the SWAT Code of Conduct
  • Violations of the SWAT Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy

Please follow the processes outlined in the SWAT Grievance Policy.

 

If your concern deals with:

  • Sexual misconduct
  • Sexual harassment
  • Sexually explicit/Inappropriate communication through social media
  • Physical or emotional misconduct
  • Violation of the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy 

Report your concern to U.S. Center for SafeSport using the following:

Call: 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233)

Use the Online Reporting Form

Find more information at U.S Center for SafeSport

Text anonymous tips to 888-270-SWIM (7946)

 

For all concerns dealing with:

  • Criminal charges
  • Physical or emotional misconduct
  • USA Swimming Code of Conduct violations
  • Violations of USA Swimming SafeSport policies including USA Swimming's Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy

Report your concern to USA Swimming using the following:

The USA Swimming Online Reporting Form for SafeSport concerns

The USA Swimming Online Reporting Form for non-SafeSport concerns

Text anonymous tips to 888-270-SWIM (7946)

Contact USA Swimming

 

SafeSport Training

Parents

Parents are a critical component to our overall goal of protecting children from sexual abuse. This free comprehensive online programming includes information about how offenders operate, how to recognize and respond to boundary violations, myths and facts about child sexual abuse, and USA Swimming’s Athlete Protection Policies and Procedures. The training for parents, "Parent's Guide to Misconduct in Sports", takes about 30 minutes to complete.

  • Step-by-step instructions on how to complete the parent training, along with how to help your swimmers access their Safe Sport training (by age).

Athletes (Ages 13 to 17)

The free training course covers:

  • Inappropriate contact
  • Physical, emotional, and behavioral boundaries
  • What to do if your boundaries are violated
  • Who to tell
  • How USA Swimming can be a resource

Training for athletes, "Safe Sport for Youth Athletes (Ages 13 to 17)", takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Athletes (Ages 5 to 12)

SafeSport for Kids course

SafeSport for Kids encourages kids to reach out to a trusted adult when something is not right. It also stresses the importance of being a good teammate, positive sportsmanship, and having a healthy sport environment focused on fun and safety. Requires parental consent for registration

Coaches, Officials, Board Members, Chaperones, and Athletes over the age of 18

You are required to complete USA Swimming's Athlete Protection Training

 

Links and Resources

SWAT Safe Sport Rep:  Sharon Shoquist, [email protected]

USA Swimming Phone Number: (719) 866-4578

Safe Sport Best Practice Guidelines

SWAT Code of Conduct

SWAT Action Plan to Address Bullying

SWAT Grievance Procedure

SWAT Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy

MAAPP Educational Documents and FAQs:

 

MANDATORY REPORTING RULE

ARTICLE 306

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

 .1 It is every member’s responsibility to promptly report any incident regarding sexual misconduct by a member as described in Article 304.3.8  to USA Swimming’s Director of Safe Sport.  Reporting must occur when an individual has firsthand knowledge of misconduct or where specific and credible information has been received from a victim or knowledgeable third party.  Various state laws may also require reporting to law enforcement or to a designated child protection agency.

.2 No member shall retaliate against any individual who has made a good faith report under 306.1.

.3 False reporting of sexual misconduct made in bad faith is prohibited.

.4 Neither civil nor criminal statutes of limitation apply to reports of cases of sexual abuse.”

USA SWIMMING CODE OF CONDUCT