Safe Sport
USA Skateboard manual:
There are a lot of reasons to participate in Skateboarding – at any level. Skateboarding encourages a healthy lifestyle, builds self-confidence; athletes also do better off the field.
Unfortunately, sport can also be a high-risk environment for misconduct, including physical and sexual abuse.
All forms of misconduct are intolerable and in direct conflict with the tenets and ideals of USA Skateboarding.
Misconduct may damage an athlete’s psychological well-being; athletes who have been mistreated experience social embarrassment, emotional turmoil, psychological scars, loss of self-esteem and negative impacts on family, friends, and the sport. Additionally, misconduct often hurts an athlete’s competitive performance and may cause them to drop out of Skateboarding entirely.
USA Skateboarding is committed to improving the safety of athletes and participants involved in our sport.
To help combat misconduct, USA Skateboarding has adopted the US Center for SafeSport (the “Center”) Code (the “Code”) in total as its SafeSport Policy for those instances of misconduct over which USA Skateboarding has jurisdiction (the Code applies also to those instances where the Center has jurisdiction).
To view the Code, click here: SAFESPORT CODE
This Manual is here to help summarize some of the key concepts in the Code and provide access to some important resources.
IF THERE IS ANY INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN THIS MANUAL AND THE CODE, THE CODE SHALL GOVERN.
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These definitions are set forth by US Center for SafeSport Code, as amended from time to time. Any term not defined in this Manual shall have the meaning afforded to it in the Code.
Child or Minor
An individual who is, or is believed by the Respondent to be, under the age of 18.
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Emotional Misconduct
It is a Code violation for a Participant to engage in emotional or physical misconduct, when that misconduct occurs within a context that is reasonably related to sport, which includes, without limitation:
A. Emotional Misconduct
B. Physical Misconduct
C. Bullying Behaviors
D. Hazing
E. Harassment.
Participants are minors and/or adults who are members of USA Skateboarding, an employee or board member of USA Skateboarding, within the governance or disciplinary jurisdiction of USA Skateboarding, authorized, approved, or appointed by USA Skateboarding to have regular contact with or authority over Minor Athletes (e.g., administrators, athletes, officials, or referees).
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Physical Misconduct includes any act or conduct described as physical abuse or misconduct under federal or state law (e.g., child abuse, child neglect, assault). However, Physical Misconduct does not include professionally accepted coaching methods of skill enhancement, physical conditioning, team building, appropriate discipline, or improved Athlete performance. For example, hitting, punching, and kicking are well-regulated forms of contact in combat sports, but have no place in swimming. Physical Misconduct also does not include conduct reasonably accepted as part of sport or conduct reasonably accepted as part of Participant’s participation.
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It is a violation of the Code for a Participant to engage in Sexual Misconduct. Sexual Misconduct offenses include, but are not limited to:
A. Sexual or Gender-related Harassment
B. Nonconsensual Sexual Contact (or attempts to commit the same)
C. Nonconsensual Sexual Intercourse (or attempts to commit the same)
D. Sexual Exploitation
E. Bullying or hazing, or other inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature.
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Any conduct that would violate any current or previous standards promulgated by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, USA Skateboarding are analogous to Prohibited Conduct and that existed at the time of the alleged conduct; or any conduct that would violate community standards analogous to Prohibited Conduct that existed at the time of the alleged conduct, including then applicable criminal or civil laws.
Prohibited Conduct includes:
A. Criminal Charges or Dispositions
B. Child Abuse
C. Sexual Misconduct
D. Emotional and Physical Misconduct, including Stalking, Bullying, Hazing, and Harassment
E. Aiding and Abetting
F. Misconduct Related to Reporting
G. Misconduct Related to the Center’s Process
H. Retaliation
I. Other Inappropriate Conduct
J. Violation of Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies / Proactive Policies
Further, it is a violation for a Participant to have a Criminal Charge or Disposition.
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Retaliation
Is any adverse action or threat to take any adverse action against any person related to allegations of Prohibited Conduct. Adverse actions include, but are not limited to:
threatening, intimidating, harassing, coercing, or any other action or conduct with the potential effect of dissuading any reasonable person from reporting Prohibited Conduct or engaging in activity related to any reporting or investigative processes.
Retaliation may take place at any time, including before, during, or after an individual’s reporting or engagement in the processes of the Center or other relevant organization under the Center’s jurisdiction. Retaliation may be present even where there is a finding that no violation occurred. Retaliation does not include good-faith actions lawfully pursued in response to a report of a Code violation.
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Adult Participants must know their reporting requirements under the Code, state law, and federal law. Lack of knowledge about a reporting obligation is not a defense.
Victims of child abuse or other misconduct to do not need to self-report.
Do not investigate suspicions or allegations of child abuse or other Prohibited Conduct or attempt to evaluate the credibility or validity of allegations as a condition of reporting to the Center or to appropriate authorities.
Reporting requirements are an individual obligation of each Adult Participant. Reporting to a supervisor or administrator does not relieve an Adult Participant of the obligations to report as specified under this section. Adult Participants must report even if they believe someone else has already reported.
Reports to the Center can be made: a. Through the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s online reporting form, www.uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern. b. By Phone at 720-531-0340, during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM MT – 5:00 PM MT.) or toll-free at 1-833- 5US-SAFE (24-hours per day, 7-days per week).
Reporting Requirements related to Child Abuse, including Child Sexual Abuse
An Adult Participant who learns of information or reasonably suspects that a child has suffered an incident of child abuse, including sexual abuse, must immediately:
a. Make a report to law enforcement AND
b. Make a report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport AND
c. Comply with any other applicable reporting requirements under state law.
Reporting to the Center alone is not sufficient. You must report to both the Center and to law enforcement and comply with any other applicable state or federal laws.
Child Abuse includes incidents that involved a victim who is a minor at the time of the alleged incident, even if the victim is now an adult.
Reporting Requirements Relating to Sexual Misconduct
An Adult Participant who learns of information or reasonably suspects that an incident(s) of Sexual Misconduct has occurred, must immediately report the incident(s) directly to the Center.
This reporting requirement applies regardless of whether the suspected victim is an adult or minor.
If the Sexual Misconduct involves a minor, it must be reported as child abuse pursuant to the section above regarding reporting child abuse above.
Additional Misconduct that Adult Participants must report to the Center
Criminal Charge(s) or Disposition(s) involving sexual misconduct or misconduct involving Minors.
Misconduct related to the Center’s process, including suspected incident(s) of:
A. Aiding and Abetting
B. Abuse of Process
C. Retaliation.
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Emotional & Physical Misconduct Reporting
An Adult Participant who learns of information or reasonably suspects that an incident(s) of emotional or physical misconduct (including bullying, stalking, hazing, and harassment) prohibited under the Code has occurred must report it to USA Skateboarding.
An Adult Participant who learns of information or reasonably suspects a violation of the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies or other proactive policies must report it to USA Skateboarding.
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Suspicions or allegations of violations that include a sexual misconduct element should be reported to the U.S. Center for SafeSport as set forth in Section 2 above.
Violations relating to any other part of this policy should be reported directly to USA Skateboarding’s reporting mechanisms: usassafesport@usaskateboarding.com or 800/309-1950 without delay. In the event the allegation is made against a USA Skateboarding staff member, the allegation may be made to the Chair of the Board of Directors at brandon@usaskateboarding.com.
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An individual has the absolute right, to report anonymously if they wish to do so, however it is strongly encouraged the following information is included in your report.
USA Skateboarding commits that, and to the extent permitted by the law only, it will keep the reporters, victims, and the accused perpetrators names confidential from the public and from members of USA Skateboarding.
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It is more difficult to effectively investigate and act if reporting occurs anonymously. However, USA Skateboarding takes all reporting seriously and encourages members to report using the above information. However, if it is more comfortable for the reporter you can absolutely report anonymously simply by leaving your name and contact details off the form.
When reporting please include all the information you are aware of, as this will assist USA Skateboarding to investigate the matter effectively.
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Regardless of the outcome of an investigation, it is the policy of USA Skateboarding to support the complainant(s) and reporter(s) and their right to express concerns in good faith. USA Skateboarding will not allow, or tolerate attempts from any individual, group, or organization to retaliate, punish, or in any way harm any individual(s) who reports a concern in good faith or otherwise participates in an investigation (e.g., as a witness). Such actions against a complainant, witness or other participant in the process will be considered a violation of the USA Skateboarding SafeSport Manual and grounds for disciplinary action, and may also be subject to civil or criminal proceedings.
USA Skateboarding will make every effort to ensure that those named in a misconduct complaint, or are too closely associated with those involved in the complaint, will not be part of the investigative team or efforts.
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USA Skateboarding has a policy of no tolerance to Bad Faith allegations. A report that is made in Bad faith, is malicious or frivolous will be considered in breach of this policy and face disciplinary action, which may result in the permanent suspension or expulsion from USA Skateboarding.
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Referral of Child Abuse to Legal Authorities.
It is USA Skateboarding policy to refer each report of child abuse to the relevant law enforcement body for that area and to cooperate fully with any investigation made by that law enforcement body. Additionally, each case will be referred to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, which has been granted authority by USA Skateboarding to investigate and resolve sexual misconduct incidents on its behalf.
See https://uscenterforsafesport.org/response-and-resolution for details on the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s resolution processes in relation to sexual misconduct incidents.
In cases where the Center does not take jurisdiction USA Skateboarding will follow its Response and Resolution Procedure, which can be accessed here: Response and Resolution Procedure.
USA Skateboarding has a policy of no tolerance to both SafeSport violations as well as toBad Faith allegations. A report that is made in Bad faith, is malicious or frivolous will be considered in breach of this policy and face disciplinary action, which may result in suspension or permanent expulsion from USA Skateboarding. When an allegation of a breach of any element of the USA Skateboarding SafeSport strategy is made and subsequently proven to have been made in bad faith, the individual will face similar and equivalent ramifications.
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USA Skateboarding will follow its Complaint and Hearing Procedure if applicable to any safe sport Manual and/or Code violation.
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Any Participant that is suspended from participation will be listed on a publicly available ineligible list on the USA Skateboarding website. A list of ineligible individuals may be found here: Ineligible List.
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USA Skateboarding prohibits any Participant from engaging in Prohibited Conduct.
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Professional conduct covers the general conduct of USA Skateboarding members attending any USA Skateboarding function or sanctioned event.
The expectation is that USA Skateboarding attendees, including those who are not members of the organization are required to behave in professional manner towards USASkateboarding Directors, USA Skateboarding Staff, USA Skateboarding Members, USA Skateboarding Coaches, USA Skateboarding Technical Officials, and all fellow attendees of that event inclusive of non-USA Skateboarding members.
Violation of professional conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Please note: for any incidents that contain sexual misconduct the U.S. Center forSafeSport has exclusive authority to investigate and resolve these matters. See https://uscenterforsafesport.org/response-and- resolution for details on the Center’s reporting and resolution processes.
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USA Skateboarding requires background checks as set forth in its Background Check Policy, which may be accessed here: Background Check Policy. USA Skateboarding will deem non-consent to a background check as a FAILURE of the background check, and such individuals may be permanently expelled from USA Skateboarding or prohibited from participating in USA Skateboarding activities.
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US CENTER FOR SAFESPORT – SAFESPORT TRAINED REQUIREMENT
All Participants (e.g., member coaches, referees, adult athletes) MUST complete the US Center for SafeSport Trained training for their membership to be activated. Additionally, any member or volunteer that will have regular contact with or authority over athletes MUST complete the training.
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All other member categories are encouraged to complete appropriate training about child physical and sexual abuse and other types of misconduct. Non-members of USASkateboarding, such as parents or guardians of minor athletes may also complete the training.
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WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS SAFESPORT?
It is the responsibility of every Participant to ensure that there is a culture of safety in the sport of Skateboarding.
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Minor Athlete and Parent Education - safesporttrained.org
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To report an incident or misconduct to USA Skateboarding
email usassafesport@usaskateboarding.com or call : Main Phone / Fax : 800-309-1950
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CLICK HERE to report sexual misconduct to the Center. Reports can also be made to the Center at:
Main Line: 720-531-0344
Reporting Line: 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233)
U.S. CENTER FOR SAFESPORT - SAFESPORT CODE
The SafeSport Code establishes consistent standards of response and resolution to abuse and misconduct claims across the U.S. Individuals must comply with policies and procedures as defined by the Code.
A copy of the U.S. Center for SafeSport - SafeSport Code can be found here.
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Response & Resolution Procedure
RESOLVING REPORTS FAIRLY AND NEUTRALLY
When a report of abuse or misconduct is submitted to the U.S. Center for SafeSport—either through this form or by phone at 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233)—the Center initiates a series of steps to assess and resolve fairly and efficiently the issue brought forth that affects these individuals in a Center investigation:
- The Claimant: the person alleged to have experienced abuse or misconduct constituting a violation of the SafeSport Code
- The Respondent: the person who is alleged to have violated the SafeSport Code.
These steps are detailed in the SafeSport Code. ( HERE )
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When a report of misconduct is handled by USA Skateboarding, it will follow the USA Skateboarding Response & Resolution Procedure which can be found here: USA Skateboarding Safe Sport Response & Resolution Procedure