USA Rugby SafeSport

USA Rugby Safe Sport

US CENTER FOR SAFE SPORT

USA Rugby requires all its member coaches, referees, administrators, players, Board members, and all other covered individuals to comply with the code and policies and procedures of the US Center for Safe Sport. In order to support a rugby community that works together to protect the well-being of all rugby participants, USA Rugby recommends that all members (including parents, players, and administrators) seek information, courses and resources from the US Center for Safe Sport.

The Center accepts all reports of sexual abuse and child abuse within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. Report here if you have reasonable suspicion of sexual misconduct or harassment, child abuse (including child sexual abuse), or intimate relationships involving an imbalance of power. The Center also accepts reports of emotional and physical misconduct (including but not limited to bullying, hazing, stalking, and harassment) within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. Reports of emotional and physical misconduct can also be reported directly to your sport’s national governing body (NGB).

You can also call the Center toll-free to Report a Concern | 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233)


SAFE SPORT CODE

This Code of Conduct establishes consistent standards of response and resolution to abuse and misconduct claims behavior across the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. The USOPC, NGBs, and LAOs must comply, in all respects, with these policies and procedures as defined by the Code. All participants of these organizations are responsible for adhering to and understanding the Code.


MINOR ATHLETE ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY (MAAPP)

The MAAPP is a collection of proactive prevention and training policies for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement. It has three primary components: an Education and Training Policy, Required Prevention Policies, and Recommended Prevention Policies. The Center developed the MAAPP to assist National Governing Bodies, Paralympic Sport Organizations, Local Affiliated Organizations, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and other individuals to whom these policies apply in meeting their obligations under federal law.


USA RUGBY SAFE SPORT TRAINING

USA Rugby requires all its member coaches, referees, administrators, players, Board members, and all other covered individuals to comply with the policies of the USA Rugby Safe Sport Handbook including completing sexual molestation, hazing and bullying awareness and prevention training. In order to support a rugby community that works together to protect the well-being of all rugby participants, USA Rugby recommends that all members (including parents, players, and administrators) seek information, courses and resources.

If you are registered in a membership category which requires annual training, you can access the course by logging into your Rugby Xplorer Membership Profile, and selecting Accreditations. Note, if you have a current Safesport accreditation, the course will only become accessible 30 days from the date your current accreditation expires.

If you are an adult player participating on a team with a minor athlete, please contact the Membership department to have the Safesport for Players membership category enabled for your club.

If you are a parent or a minor athlete who wishes to complete the Center's free, online training, those courses can be accessed here.


OUR COMMITMENT

The safety of its members is of paramount importance to USA Rugby. USA Rugby has Zero Tolerance for abuse and misconduct. This includes not only on-pitch safety, but also off-pitch safety in any part of USA Rugby’s programs. USA Rugby is committed to creating safe and fun environments for its members. Any questions about the USA Rugby SafeSport Program can be directed to the USA Rugby Safe Sport Liaison officer, Johnathan Atkeison jatkeison@usa.rugby.


WHEN OR HOW SHOULD I MAKE A REPORT?

USA Rugby and the US Center for Safe Sport require the reporting of sexual misconduct by or of any member of USA Rugby to theUS Center for Safe Sport Response and Resolution Office. USA Rugby strongly encourages reporting of any concerns related to USA Rugby's Safe Sport policies by following the direction here:SafeSport Reporting.

The Center accepts all reports of sexual abuse and child abuse within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. Report here if you have reasonable suspicion of sexual misconduct or harassment, child abuse (including child sexual abuse), or intimate relationships involving an imbalance of power.

The Center also accepts reports of emotional and physical misconduct (including but not limited to bullying, hazing, stalking, and harassment) within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. Reports of emotional and physical misconduct can also be reported directly to your sport’s national governing body (NGB).

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PARENT AND MINOR ATHLETE TRAINING

If you are a parent or a minor athlete interested in free trainings available to you, they can be accessed here.


ATHLETE OMBUDS

The Office of the Athlete Ombuds offers independent, confidential advice to elite athletes regarding their rights and responsibilities in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and assists athletes with a broad range of questions, disputes, complaints and concerns. Phone: 719-866-5000 Email: ombudsman@usathlete.org Website: usathlete.org


USA RUGBY SAFE SPORT HANDBOOK

USA Rugby has developed a US Center for Safe Sport Handbook, intended to be a central location for all of the policies and procedures that are designed to protect its members from all types of misconduct and abuse. It also includes information and education for adults on how to be proactive, to recognize areas of concern and signs of abuse. All items relating to Sexual Abuse or Sexual Misconduct should be reported to the US Center for Safe Sport reporting office linked above. Any other Abuse, harassment, bullying or hazing should be reported to USA Rugby US Center for Safe Sport Liaison via this reporting form or directly at jatkeison@usa.rugby or 720-263-2059.

There is no fee associated with filing a report either through the Center or through USA Rugby.