Frequently Asked Questions
What is SafeSport?
The U.S. Center for SafeSport, also known as SafeSport, is “an independent nonprofit committed to building a sport community where participants can work and learn together free of emotional, physical and sexual abuse and misconduct,” according to its official website. According to Form 990s filed with the Internal Revenue Service, the year of formation of SafeSport was 2014. Its mission is described as “to make athlete well-being the centerpiece of our nation’s sports culture.” The organization specifically focuses on U.S. Olympic sports.
SafeSport is based in Denver, Colorado and opened an office there in March 2017. “Prevention is at the heart of The Center’s charter,” the SafeSport statement read. “Its Education and Outreach Office promotes issue awareness and provides athletes and sport organizations, at all levels of competition, with best-in-class resources and training to promote respect and prevent abuse. These materials include talking points, fact sheets, self-evaluation tools and a comprehensive online training course. The Center also centralizes best practices, connecting sport organizations with thought leaders on issues common across sport.”
The idea of SafeSport was “to have a single agency empowered to investigate and rule on accusations of misconduct, taking those responsibilities away from the organizations that run individual sports, like U.S.A. Gymnastics, U.S.A. Swimming (caught up in a scandal of its own) and others,” according to the New York Times. The phrase “SafeSport” originated in 2010, according to Deadspin, after “a series of reports aired on ABC and ESPN exposing how little USA Swimming did to protect its athletes from sexual abuse: There were no pre-hiring background checks, many people never thought to report warning signs they saw and many others willfully looked the other way because they put winning first. In response, USA Swimming started a program it dubbed SafeSport, which the entire Olympic movement later adopted.
What is the SafeSport code athletes and sports participants must follow?
Click here to view the most up to date SafeSport code that establishes the policies, provides the rules and procedures for investigations and resolution of reported incidents, and defines the various forms of prohibited conduct for participants, including the various forms of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse.
Is there a process for a person to seek relief from a temporary suspension?
Yes. An individual may request that the U.S. Center for SafeSport stay the temporary suspension in certain circumstances, i.e. participation in a certain event. In addition to, or in lieu of, a request for a stay, the individual may request an interim measures hearing, which will be afforded within 72 hours of such request. The interim measures hearing is conducted before an independent arbitration body.
Is there recourse against someone who intentionally makes a false accusation?
Someone who abuses the process, falsifies information or maliciously abuses the process is subject to sanctions.
How are individuals notified they are under a temporary suspension?
The U.S. Center for SafeSport notifies the Responding Party by e-mail.
How does SafeSport work with National Governing Bodies (NGBs)?
Each NGB has its own safe sport program, through which the NGBs enforce the Center's policies, requirements, and any sanctions imposed after investigation. The NGBs' safe sport programs have their own mechanisms and designated offices to investigate and resolve allegations of physical and emotional misconduct.