Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy

FINS Swim Team
Effective: September 1, 2021

Table of Contents

  • Application of Policy

  • General Requirement

  • Definitions

  • Exceptions

  • One-on-One Interactions

  • Meetings and Individual Training Sessions

  • Electronic Communications

  • In-Program Transportation and Lodging

  • Locker Rooms and Changing Areas

  • Massages, Rubdowns, and Athletic Training Modalities

This Policy Applies To:

In-Program Contact
This refers to any communication, interaction, or activity between an Adult Participant and a Minor Athlete related to participation in sport, including practices, competitions, camps, travel, training sessions, team-building, events, and more.

Adult Participants
This includes any adult 18 years or older who is a FINS Swim Team member or who interacts regularly with Minor Athletes. This also applies to individuals such as meet marshals, timers, or those who have authority over Minor Athletes or are within the governance of FINS Swim Team.

General Requirement

FINS Swim Team must fully implement this Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy. All athletes, parents/legal guardians, coaches, and non-athlete members must review and agree to this policy annually. Written agreements must be retained by the team.

Definitions

  • Athlete: Any FINS Swim Team member.

  • Authority: A person’s ability to direct, control, or make decisions for another due to their position.

  • Dual Relationship: When an Adult Participant has a relationship with a Minor Athlete outside of the sport (e.g., family, teacher).

  • Electronic Communication: Includes text messages, phone calls, emails, and social media interactions.

  • In-Program: Activities related to sport participation, including practices, competitions, and training.

  • Minor Athlete: An athlete under 18 who is a member of FINS Swim Team or was a member within the last 12 months.

Exceptions

  • Close-In-Age Exception: In-Program Contact is allowed if the Adult Participant is no more than four years older than the Minor Athlete and has no authority over them.

  • Dual Relationship Exception: An Adult Participant with a dual relationship (e.g., family member) may interact with a Minor Athlete if written consent is provided annually by the Minor Athlete’s parent/legal guardian.

One-on-One Interactions

All one-on-one interactions between a Minor Athlete and an Adult Participant must occur in an observable and interruptible environment, unless exceptions apply (emergency situations, Dual Relationship, or Close-In-Age Exception).

Meetings and Individual Training Sessions

  • Meetings: Must be conducted with another adult present or in an observable space. Rooms should have open windows and unlocked doors, with no meetings in private hotel rooms.

  • Licensed Professionals: Meetings with mental health care professionals or healthcare providers must be observable and interruptible by another adult.

  • Individual Training Sessions: Must also be observable and interruptible, except when exceptions apply. Written consent from the parent/legal guardian is required, and parents must be allowed to observe.

Electronic Communications

  • Content: All communication must remain professional.

  • Transparency: For one-on-one communications, the Minor Athlete’s parent/legal guardian must be copied. The same applies to group communications, with another Adult Participant copied.

  • Requests to Discontinue: Parents may request in writing that their child not receive electronic communication.

  • Hours: Communication should only occur between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. local time, unless an emergency arises.

  • Prohibited Communication: Adult Participants may not have private social media connections with Minor Athletes or send them private messages unless exceptions apply.

In-Program Travel and Lodging

  • Transportation: All travel must be observable and interruptible. Adult Participants should not transport a Minor Athlete alone unless exceptions apply (emergency, Dual Relationship, or written consent from the parent/legal guardian).

  • Lodging: No Adult Participant should share sleeping arrangements with a Minor Athlete. Hotel rooms should have observable and interruptible contact, with two adults present during room checks.

  • Written Consent: Parent/legal guardian consent is required for all In-Program travel and lodging, and consent can be withdrawn at any time.

Locker Rooms and Changing Areas

  • Use of Locker Rooms: Only designated locker rooms or changing areas should be used.

  • Observable and Interruptible: Any interaction between Adult Participants and Minor Athletes in a locker room must be observable and interruptible unless exceptions apply (emergencies, Dual Relationship, or Close-In-Age Exception).

  • Recording Devices: Cell phones and other recording devices are prohibited in locker rooms and changing areas.

  • Privacy: Adult Participants should not change or behave in a way that exposes intimate body parts to Minor Athletes.

  • Monitoring: Locker rooms will be randomly and regularly monitored for compliance with this policy.

Massages, Rubdowns, and Athletic Training Modalities

  • General Requirement: Any In-Program massage or rubdown must be done in an observable and interruptible location by a licensed or certified professional.

  • Consent: Written consent from the parent/legal guardian is required annually, and parents must be allowed to observe the session.

  • Clothing: The Minor Athlete should be fully or partially clothed during the massage, and a second adult must be present.

This policy aims to provide a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all Minor Athletes participating in the FINS Swim Team. It ensures the protection of young athletes and promotes responsible interactions among all participants.