USA Swimming and Child Abuse Prevention Month
Child Abuse Prevention Month is observed annually and is dedicated to raising awareness about child abuse.
Launched in 2010 and one of the first comprehensive programs in the Olympic movement, USA Swimming Safe Sport has one primary purpose: To prevent abuse. Since its inception, Safe Sport has provided resources, programs, policies, and guidance for boundary setting and abuse prevention in swimming.
Training and Education
Being a stronger advocate against physical, emotional, and sexual abuse starts with education and training. Since 2014, the USA Swimming Safe Sport staff has provided in-person and virtual trainings to almost 45,000 individuals and parents, athletes, and coaches can continue to take advantage of free online monthly training. In 2023, the program made a significant educational impact on membership. It offered 70 training opportunities across the country, impacting almost 8,000 individuals. In 2022, it updated the Family Resource Guide, which helps encourage parents and guardians to join USA Swimming in creating a positive environment free from abuse. Also in 2022, the Guide to Child Physical Abuse was created for all coaches and volunteers to gain valuable perspective on how they can be advocates against abuse. All educational opportunities provided by USA Swimming Safe Sport staff are located here for anyone to access.
In addition to opt-in training and education, USA Swimming requires all adult members of USA Swimming – both adult athletes and non-athletes – to complete Athlete Protection Training (APT) annually. All required and optional training opportunities are available at USA Swimming University.
In 2013, another first for the Olympic movement, USA Swimming hosted its inaugural Safe Sport Leadership Conference. Offered every other year, the Safe Sport Leadership Conference secures speakers to talk about high-level abuse prevention topics. In 2023, USA Swimming members, outside National Governing Bodies (NGBs), the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and outside organizations were invited to hear from four experts in child abuse prevention, including one survivor. The full-day event attracted almost 200 attendees. Past Safe Sport Leadership Conference presentations are free to view here.
Engraining Safe Sport efforts at the grassroots level is critical to long-term engagement in abuse prevention. In 2013, all 59 USA Swimming’s LSCs appointed an LSC Safe Sport Chair/Coordinator. This requirement, approved by members of USA Swimming, allows the role to educate and lead their LSCs on Safe Sport topics, provide additional training, set up informational tables at swim meets, and attend specific USA Swimming Safe Sport workshops. In 2015, USA Swimming Zones solidified Zone Safe Sport Chairs to help coordinate communication between the national staff and the LSCs.
In 2021, USA Swimming expanded its USA Swimming Safe Sport team with two additional full-time staff members. Currently, the program has five members dedicated to education and training, case management, and building an open line of communication between headquarters and members.
Policies and Programs
USA Swimming Safe Sport has continued creating and updating policies to protect members. In 2019, USA Swimming Safe Sport announced the requirement to implement the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP), which covers six (6) different areas of risk:
- One-on-One Interactions;
- Meetings and Individual Training Sessions;
- In-Program Transportation and Lodging;
- Electronic Communication;
- Locker Rooms and Changing Areas; and
- Massages, Rubdowns, and Athletic Training Modalities.
MAAPP policies are required to be implemented in full by USA Swimming, its Zones, LSCs, and member clubs. It aims to strengthen accountability and supervision for adults interacting with minors while participating in USA Swimming. The policy was updated in 2021 and is set for further enhancements in September 2024. More information on this year’s updates will be released in the coming months.
The Safe Sport Club Recognition (SSRP) program aims to help clubs go above and beyond their requirements to keep kids safe. Introduced in 2018, clubs develop and implement Safe Sport policies, procedures, best practices, and training to further their team’s commitment to safety and abuse prevention. Currently, 1,434 teams across the country are SSRP approved or are working towards approval of the program.
Additional free templates, best practices, guidelines, and model policies are available on the Club Toolkit website. Numerous model policies, such as MAAPP, Action Plan to Address Bullying, and Photography, are available in English and Spanish.
Reporting
Reporting concerning behavior is vital to upholding a positive environment where kids feel safe, supported, and can thrive. Through mandatory reporting requirements, it is every USA Swimming member’s responsibility to promptly report any incident regarding sexual misconduct by a member. Mandatory reporting rules may include reporting to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, USA Swimming, law enforcement agencies, and designated child protection agencies. Article 306 of the USA Swimming Rulebook explains reporting requirements, and Article 307 enforces prohibitions against retaliating against any individual who has made a good-faith report.
In 2022, USA Swimming aligned with RealResponse, the award-winning safe and secure feedback, monitoring, and anonymous reporting platform. Members can use the platform to report anonymously by text to 888-270-SWIM (7946). It also allows USA Swimming Safe Sport staff to continue gathering facts while protecting the identity of anonymous reporters.
There are numerous ways for members to report, including the ability to report anonymously. Individuals can:
- Fill out the online reporting form here;
- Text message 888-270-SWIM (7946);
- Email safesport@usaswimming.org; and
- Call USA Swimming headquarters at 719-866-4578.
USA Swimming’s Safe Sport work is never complete. It will continue to evolve, find new and innovative ways to help educate members, guide policy, and create a positive culture to protect kids, and all members, from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
If you have questions about USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program or its resources, contact USA Swimming Safe Sport staff at safesport@usaswimming.org.