- also known as Safe Sport, US Center for SafeSport, Safesport, SafeSports
Introduction video to Safe Sports
Background[]
- Safe sport is about injury as well as care with Clearances and wellness of participants.
Links[]
Details[]
- Safe Sport Code from 2021, version 3
- Athlete Safety Policy, update from January 2020
Letter from 2018[]
Dear USA Swimming Family,
In light of recent media coverage, I would like to provide some perspective on the very important subject matter discussed and the commentary surrounding USA Swimming’s Safe Sport efforts.
Let me be clear: USA Swimming does not tolerate sexual abuse or misconduct, and I assure you that this organization is facing this extremely serious issue with one very clear goal – protecting children and athletes.
Every day we work hard to get better as an organization. We are never complacent. We want to listen and to hear from you. We are rightfully held to a high standard by our membership and our peers, and we will continue to work tirelessly to educate members, put policies in place, and empower clubs to create the best possible environments for all members.
We will not shy away from acknowledging or supporting survivors of abuse, and we will strive to ensure that there is never a lapse of a support system again. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with survivors, the U.S. Center for Safe Sport, and law enforcement to hold wrongdoers accountable and remove them from our organization.
While we disagree on several of the reported statements and many of the conclusions in recent media reports, members were failed, and we are doing everything we can to make sure it never happens again.
Our system of uncovering sexual abuse is not flawless, but it has enabled USA Swimming to detect and prosecute members who have engaged in this misconduct. Every year we have endeavored to make our sport safer for our athletes and other members than the year before. Since 2010, USA Swimming has created a leading Safe Sport program with key resource materials for members, updated its Code of Conduct, mandated abuse prevention training, and created a public list of individuals banned for sexual misconduct-related violations in a continued effort to identify and remove offenders from the sport. This is and will be an on-going process that has our full commitment.
The key aspect to the success of the Safe Sport program is for every member to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity that might be a violation of our Code of Conduct. We simply cannot assume that those being abused will voluntarily come forward, even if given the opportunity to do so in a confidential manner.
In order to be successful, it will require your active participation. Working together we can strive to completely eradicate sexual abuse from our organization.
For information on USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program visit: https://www.usaswimming.org/talkingaboutsafesport
To report concerns to the U.S. Center for Safe Sport at: https://safesport.org/report-a-concern.
As an organization we can do more, and we will continue to do more with your valued feedback, guidance, and involvement.
Sincerely,
Tim Hinchey III, USA Swimming President and CEO
Terms[]
TERMS of SafeSport for RESPONSE AND RESOLUTION[]
VIOLATION[]
Based on a preponderance of the evidence, the Covered Individual (Responding Party) violated the SafeSport Code (or other relevant policy).
NO VIOLATION[]
Based on a preponderance of the evidence, the Covered Individual (Responding Party) did not violate the SafeSport Code (or other relevant policy).
STIPULATION[]
The Covered Individual (Responding Party), without admitting the truth or validity of claims asserted, or a finding of a violation, accepted a sanction as a final resolution of the allegation.
ACTIONS/SANCTIONS[]
Actions and/or sanctions are the steps taken in response to a Violation or a Stipulation, as described above. Actions and/or sanctions may include one or more of the below.
INTERIM MEASURE[]
- Interim measure - restriction*
The eligibility of the Covered Individual (Responding Party) to participate has been restricted pending final resolution of the matter.
- Interim measure - suspension*
The Covered Individual (Responding Party) is prohibited from participating in any capacity in any activity or competition authorized by, organized by, or under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee, the national governing bodies recognized by the USOC, and/or a Local Affiliated Organization of a national governing body recognized by the USOC pending final resolution of the matter.
FINAL RESOLUTION[]
Warning[]
The Covered Individual (Responding Party) has no eligibility restrictions, but has received a warning concerning his or her conduct.
Educational program[]
The Covered Individual (Responding Party) is required to complete an educational component.
Behavioral requirements[]
The Covered Individual (Responding Party) is required to complete a behavioral component.
Probation[]
The Covered Individual (Responding Party) has no current eligibility restrictions, subject to a specified period of good behavior.
Loss of privileges[]
Certain privileges of the Covered Individual (Responding Party) have been restricted permanently or temporarily.
Suspension[]
The Covered Individual (Responding Party) is prohibited from participating in any capacity in any activity or competition authorized by, organized by, or under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee, the national governing bodies recognized by the USOC, and/or a Local Affiliated Organization of a national governing body recognized by the USOC for a specified period of time.
Permanently ineligible[]
The Covered Individual (Responding Party) is permanently prohibited from participating in any capacity in any activity or competition authorized by, organized by, or under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee, the national governing bodies recognized by the USOC, and/or a Local Affiliated Organization of a national governing body recognized by the USOC.
- Name of individual subject to such action/sanction will be published in the U.S. Center for
SafeSport’s database.