U.S. Center for SafeSport

USCENTERFORSAFESPORT.ORG

Established in 2017, the U.S. Center for SafeSport is the independent and exclusive authority directed by Congress to prevent and respond to all forms of abuse and misconduct within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. The Center is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The Center receives, investigates, and responds to reports of abuse and misconduct from individuals affiliated with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and its National Governing Bodies (NGBs). The Center ensures that the USOPC and NGBs properly apply policies and procedures to govern abuse prevention and maintains a database of individuals sanctioned from participation in their sport. Throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, the Center trains athletes, parents, coaches, volunteers, and organizations at all levels on best practices and principles for preventing abuse in sport settings. In doing so, the Center advances its mission of making athlete well-being the center of our nation’s sports culture through abuse prevention, education, and accountability.

Mission

Our mission is to make athlete well-being the centerpiece of our nation’s sports culture. All athletes deserve to participate in sports free from bullying, hazing, sexual misconduct or any form of emotional or physical abuse.

Vision

Our vision is that every athlete will be safe, supported, and strengthened through sport.

Safe: Athletes are protected from emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.
Supported: Athletes enjoy welcome, respectful environments and diversity is actively embraced.
Strengthened: Athletes use the skills they’ve learned in sport to contribute to the well-being of their communities. Every athlete thrives, on and off the field of play.

Education & Training

Required SafeSport Training

Per U.S. Center for SafeSport requirements, USA Shooting has identified the following categories of individuals who are required to complete and pass the SafeSport training and Background Check:

  • All USA Shooting adult 18+ members having regular contact with athlete minors
  • All adult 18+ athletes participating in any event, training, or match being held at USA Shooting’s range at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
  • All USA Shooting Team Athlete adults 18+
  • USA Shooting staff (to include contractors and interns) and national coaches
  • USA Shooting named national assistant coaches and coaches at sanctioned USA Shooting events
  • USA Shooting officials/referees
  • USA Shooting volunteers
  • USA Shooting Certified Training Center (CTC) coaches, staff, volunteers, and board members working directly with the CTC Olympic shooting sports
  • USA Shooting Board Members
  • Medical staff, trainers, sports psychologists, massage therapists, etc. having regular contact with USA Shooting athletes or working on behalf of USA Shooting

US Center for SafeSport Free Training Courses

The U.S. Center for SafeSport Free Training courses are now live! These resources include courses for parents and children, ages 5-12 and 13-17. These free online trainings are designed as an introduction for minor athletes and their parents or other caregivers to understand the importance of positive, welcoming environments in sports, where misconduct like bullying or abuse is less likely to happen, and to know where to report abuse, should it occur.

Each course is hosted through the membership platform and can be accessed once you log into your membership profile. Parents can choose which course is best for their child based on their actual or developmental age. Each course will take less than 30 minutes to complete. A writeable PDF certificate is available at the conclusion of each training, and parents are encouraged to write their child’s name on the printed certificate.

Reporting

See Something, Say Something

All reports made to the U.S. Center for SafeSport and to USA Shooting have no associated costs or fees. You may report anonymously.

If you have reasonable suspicion of sexual misconduct or child abuse, contact law enforcement immediately. Also submit a report to the Center using the online form or call the Center’s toll-free Report a Concern phone number 833-5US-SAFE (857-7233).

If you have reasonable suspicion of emotional misconduct, physical misconduct, and violations of the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP), submit a report to USA Shooting. Fill out the form attached below, and email it to BOTH Craig.Kozeniesky@USAShooting.org AND USAShooting.SafeSport@USOPC.org.

Resources

Ineligibility

USA Shooting maintains a list of individuals who are ineligible to participate within USA Shooting sanctioned events. All our affiliate programs are encourage to reference this list when conducting or hosting an event, in an effort to maintain safety for all parties involved. In addition, organizations should perform their own background checks with their own disqualifying factors. This list is updated regularly, and can be found here.

Please contact Krista Austin, with any questions or concerns regarding athlete safety at Krista.Austin@USAShooting.org.

NGB Resources

USA Shooting is committed to protecting and empowering athletes, and ensuring accountability, and increasing educational opportunities.

SafeSport NGB Services

SafeSport NGB Services Portal