MidAm District
Implementation
2013-2014
Why SafeSport?
To prevent known offenders from joining our program and deter
offenders that have not yet been caught.
To protect our participants by creating an environment that puts the
potential offender at risk and deters them from becoming involved.
To protect the reputations of USA Hockey, its Affiliates and local
programs as organizations that are safe from abuse.
To prevent negligence (guide our programs and volunteers about
expectations from our membership) and help insulate USA Hockey, its
affiliates, local programs and volunteers from liability.
Some Statistics
• Before age 18, between 6% - 13% of competitive athletes experience some form of sexual abuse or
assault within their sport. That’s as many as 1 out of every 8 athletes.
• 80% of college athletes report that they’ve witnessed or experienced some form of hazing.
• The most reported form of misconduct, emotional misconduct increases as athletes move up the
competitive ladder, with as many as 75% of elite athletes reporting that their coaches emotionally
abused them during their athletic career.
• Children know their abusers more than 90% of the time.
• Criminal background checks and sexual offender registries only identify people who have a criminal
record – a check won’t catch 90% of child abusers.
• BARRIERS TO REPORTING http://training.safesport.org/UserCourse/Launch/75
What is Safe Sport?
regulates
conduct
provide mechanisms for
members to report
suspected abuse, and
creates an
environment that
is hostile to
potential abusers.
Safe Sport Module
http://www.usahockey.com/SafeSport.aspx
Policies Prohibiting Abuse
Sexual
Abuse
Hazing
Bullying,
Threats,
and
Harassment
Physical
Abuse
Emotional
Abuse
Policies Reducing Risks for Potential Abuse
Managing Hockey Environments
Locker Room
Policy
Electronic
Communications
Policy
Travel Policy
Billeting Policy
Sexual Abuse Policy
Prohibits sexual abuse of any participant
Sexual contact between children can be abusive if significant disparity in age,
development, size or intellectual capacity
Neither consent of minor, mistake as to age, nor fact that contact occurred
outside of hockey are defenses to a complaint
Sexual abuse may also occur between adults if nonconsensual, coerced or
manipulated
May include “non-touching” offenses, such as sexual harassment, sending nude
pictures, sexually explicit emails, exposing minors to pornography, etc.
Physical Abuse Policy
Prohibits physical abuse of any participant in our programs
Includes physical contact that causes or has potential to cause harm, or creates the threat of
bodily harm
Includes throwing or threatening to throw objects or sports equipment
Also includes providing alcohol to a minor participant, or providing drugs to any participant
Physical abuse does not include physical contact that is reasonably designed to coach, teach,
demonstrate or improve a hockey skill, including physical conditioning, team building and
appropriate discipline
Emotional Abuse Policy
Involves a pattern of deliberate, non-contact behavior that has the potential
to cause emotional or psychological harm to a participant
May be verbal acts, physical acts or acts that deny attention or support
Examples include a pattern of verbal abuse or physically aggressive
behaviors, such as throwing equipment, water bottles, or chairs, or punching
walls, windows, or other objects.
Does not include generally-accepted and age appropriate coaching methods
of skill enhancement, physical conditioning, motivation, team building,
appropriate discipline, or improving athletic performance.
Bullying, Threats & Harassment Policy
Coaches and other adults cannot ignore and must intervene
Bullying – Involves a pattern of physical or non-physical behaviors intended to cause,
fear, humiliation or harm in an attempt to exclude, diminish or isolate another person;
Includes written, verbal or Cyber-bullying
Threats – Involves any written, verbal, physical or electronically transmitted
expression of intent to harm
Harassment – Involves a pattern of physical/non-physical behaviors that (1) are
intended to cause fear, humiliation or annoyance, (2) offend or degrade, (3) create
hostile environment, or (4) reflect discriminatory bias
Sexual Harassment- Examples include (a) comments about a participant’s sexual
orientation, gender expression, disability, religion, skin color, or ethnic traits; (b)
displaying offensive materials, gestures, or symbols; and (c) withholding or reducing
playing time based on sexual orientation.
Hazing Policy
Coaches and other adults cannot ignore and must intervene
Includes any conduct which is intimidating, humiliating, offensive, or physically harmful
Hazing is typically an activity that serves as a condition for joining a group or being socially
accepted by a group
Examples include requiring or forcing the consumption of alcohol or drugs; physical restraint;
sexual simulations/acts; social actions (e.g. grossly inappropriate or provocative clothing) or
public displays (e.g. public nudity); beating, paddling, or other forms of physical assault.
“Locker Boxing” is also a form of hazing
A person’s consent to participation does not mean it is not hazing
Hazing does not include group or team activities that are meant to establish normative team
behaviors, or promote team cohesion, so long as they do not have reasonable potential to
cause emotional or physical distress
Locker Room Policy
Locker room supervision is one of the most critical elements to reducing risk
of abuse or misconduct
Requires at least one properly screened adult
At lower age groups, numerous adults may be present
Team may prohibit parents in locker room (subject to common sense)
Each local program shall publish their specific locker room policy
Coach and team administrators are responsible for compliance with locker room supervision
requirements
Cell phones and recording devices/cameras may not be used in the locker room
Avoid situations where an adult is alone with minor participants
With Co-Ed teams both female and male privacy rights must be given consideration and appropriate
arrangements made. It is not acceptable for persons to be observing the opposite gender while they dress
or undress
Electronic Communications Policy
Electronic
communications
are often used to
bully, threaten or
harass other
participants
Increases the
possibility for
improprieties and
misunderstandings
and also provides
potential offenders
with unsupervised and
potentially
inappropriate access
to participants.
Communications
involving
participants should
be appropriate,
productive, and
transparent
Social media
should be used for
communicating
team activities, not
personal
Should be readily
available to share with
the public or families of
the player or coach.
If the player is under the
age of 18, any email,
text, social media, or
similar communication
must also copy the
player’s parents.
Travel Policy
Minor players are
most vulnerable to
abuse or misconduct
during travel
Adherence to travel
policies helps reduce
opportunities for
misconduct
Hotel rooms should
be monitored/checked
regularly by screened
adults
There should be
cooperation with
family regarding
telephone calls,
family in same hotel,
distribution of travel
itineraries, etc.
Coaches should never
share a hotel room
with an unrelated
minor
Local travel should be
the responsibility of the
parents, not team
Coaches/volunteers
should avoid driving
alone with an
unrelated minor
Team should provide
adequate
supervision/chaperones
Drivers should have
driving records
checked
No coach or
chaperone shall be
under influence of
alcohol/drugs
while performing
their duties
Billeting Policy
Primarily exists
at Junior and
Tier I Midget
level
Team/Program
should have a
billet
coordinator
Team as well
as host family
rules/curfews
shall apply
All adults in
billet home
must be
screened
Program should
have published
rules and
regulations for the
billeting
arrangement –
agreed to by
parents, billets and
player
Education and Awareness Training
•
Awareness training available to all at no cost
•
Training produced by the United States Olympic Committee
•
A membership number is required, but those not registered with USA Hockey
may do so at no cost by registering as a manager/volunteer
•
SafeSport Policy requires training for those that:
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Have regular, routine or frequent access to or supervision over youth participants
Are responsible for enforcing child abuse and misconduct policies
Are in managerial or supervisory roles
Are employees or volunteers
•
At least one person from each program must complete training by 11/30
•
Affiliate is responsible for confirming and certifying compliance
•
To access the training click on the link http://training.safesport.org
Train the Trainer
Policies should be disseminated from top down
Level 1
Train States
(MidAm Rep will train the 5 State reps)
Level 2
Train Organizations
(State rep will train the Organization Rep)
Level 3
Train Coaches/Managers
(Organization Rep will train Coaches/Managers)
Level 4
Train Parents
(Manager will train the parents)
Screening of Staff and Volunteers
When we allow a coach to hold a position, we are putting
our stamp on them that they are OK.
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While screening only catches offenders that have a criminal record, a
comprehensive screening program demonstrates the program’s priorities
Potential offenders will look for places where they will not be caught
42% of red flags showed criminal activity in another state
https://www.midamhockeyscreen.com/login.php
•
Screening is required for those that:
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Have regular, routine or frequent access to or supervision over youth participants
Are responsible for enforcing child abuse and misconduct policies
Are in managerial or supervisory roles
Are employees or volunteers
Screening Requirements
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Affiliate manages the screening process within their Affiliate, and must submit
such process each year to USA Hockey
Member programs (e.g., local programs) must comply in 2013-2014
Screening must be completed prior to person serving in that role
Screens are valid for two (2) years
USA Hockey includes minimum criteria that must be searched, as well as
additional criteria that could result in ineligibility
Screening company must perform a “national” screen
Must include identity verification process
Affiliates must report any volunteers that have been denied eligibility based on
the person not consenting to be screened or failing a screen
Affiliate is responsible for confirming and certifying compliance
MIDAM already in compliance just make sure organization is in compliance
Reporting Concerns of Abuse
Reports to USA Hockey may be made by:
(1) clicking on the “Report to USA Hockey” link on the USA Hockey SafeSport
Program webpage
(2) emailing to SafeSport@usahockey.org, or
(3) calling 800-888-4656.
Reports may also be made to Affiliate SafeSport Coordinator
Elgine McArdle
2139 Market Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 232-0700 (work)
(304) 312-6076 (cell)
elgine@mcardlelawoffice.com
What should be reported?
• All cases involving suspicions or allegations of child
physical or sexual abuse must be reported to the
appropriate law enforcement authorities
• USA Hockey and its programs should not investigate or
try to judge the credibility of an allegation of suspected
child physical or sexual abuse as a condition of reporting
to the authorities
Mandatory Reporters
• Some people in our organizations may be mandatory reporters
https://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/manda.pdf
INDIANA Professionals Required to Report Ann. Code § 31-33-5-2
- any staff member of a medical or other public or private institution, school, facility, or agency.
KENTUCKY Professionals Required to Report Rev. Stat. § 620.030
- Physicians, osteopathic physicians, nurses, coroners, medical examiners, residents, interns,
chiropractors, dentists, optometrists, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, or health
professionals
- Teachers, school personnel, or child care personnel
- Social workers or mental health professionals
- Peace officers
OHIO Professionals Required to Report
Rev. Code § 2151.421
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Attorneys
Physicians, interns, residents, dentists, podiatrists, nurses, or other health-care professionals
Licensed psychologists, school psychologists, or marriage and family therapists
Speech pathologists or audiologists
Coroners
Administrators or employees of child daycare centers, residential camps, child day camps,
certified child care agencies, or other public or private children services agencies
Teachers, school employees, or school authorities
Persons engaged in social work or the practice of professional counseling
Agents of county humane societies
Persons, other than clerics, rendering spiritual treatment through prayer in accordance with the
tenets of a well-recognized religion
Superintendents, board members, or employees of county boards of mental retardation;
investigative agents contracted with by a county board of mental retardation; employees of the
Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities; employees of a facility or
home that provides respite care; employees of a home health agency; employees of an entity that
provides homemaker services
Persons performing the duties of an assessor or third party employed by a public children services
agency to assist in providing child or family-related services
PENNSYLVANIA
Cons. Stat. Tit. 23, § 6311
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Persons required to report include, but are not limited to:
Licensed physicians, osteopaths, medical examiners, coroners, funeral directors, dentists,
optometrists, chiropractors, podiatrists, interns, nurses, or hospital personnel
Christian Science practitioners or members of the clergy
School administrators, teachers, school nurses, social services workers, daycare center workers, or
any other child care or foster care workers
Mental health professionals
Peace officers or law enforcement officials
WEST VIRGINIA
Ann. Code § 49-6A-2
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Medical, dental, or mental health professionals
Christian Science practitioners or religious healers
Teachers or other school personnel
Social service, child care, or foster care workers
Emergency medical services personnel
Peace officer, law enforcement officials, or humane officers
Members of the clergy
Circuit court judges, family court judges, employees of the Division of Juvenile Services, or magistrates
Youth camp administrators, counselors, employees, coaches, or volunteers of entities that provide organized
activities for children
Commercial film or photographic print processors
Responsible Reporting
Employees / Volunteers
All must and
can report
confidentially
and
anonymously
All subject to
suspension or
termination
Malicious,
frivolous or
bad faith
reports are
All provided
grounds for
whistleblower
protection
disciplinary
action and/or
civil or criminal
action
Responding to Reports of Abuse
SafeSport does not create a new disciplinary program or system
Follow USA Hockey Bylaw 10
– Summary Suspensions
– Hearings
– Notifications
When in doubt about the process, ask…
“In all cases, the disciplinary procedures and actions of USA
Hockey and its Affiliates and local programs shall be
proportionate, reasonable and applied fairly and equally.”
Monitoring and Supervision
USA
Hockey
Affiliate
• Shall monitor Affiliate’s compliance, assist Affiliate’s with investigations and provide
guidance, shall enforce policies with national level staff and volunteers, and shall
maintain SafeSport Task Force
• Affiliate SafeSport Coordinator shall monitor compliance by local programs -- shall
monitor reports, investigations and disciplinary actions within Affiliate. SafeSport
Coordinator shall certify Affiliate’s compliance (to their knowledge) to USA Hockey.
• Must monitor program personnel so that they are enforcing program policies, and
so that all volunteers are screened and have received proper training prior to
Organization serving
Coaches
• For his/her team, the coach is primarily responsible for monitoring so that locker
room, travel, social media, electronic communications and behavioral policies are
being followed -- these duties may be delegated
What Others are Saying…
Handbook used in seminar at John Jay College of Criminal Justice as an example of
best practices for institutions that have interaction between adults & adolescents.
From an Affiliate SafeSport Coordinator:
“BTW, I am now on our 6th complaint…. One byproduct that I doubt anyone thought of is
that when upset parents learn that myself and SafeSport exist, they are quite thankful
that this program is there for them. There is a palpable attitude amongst our
constituents that nobody really cares about their concerns and that the “good old boys”
will sweep the ugliness under the rug. I make it clear that although I AM NOT their
ombudsman, I am a fair and impartial investigator that will insure that the matter is fully
looked into and ultimately resolved… in each case so far they have expressed gratitude
that things are being handled in this fashion and are appeased to an extent (regardless
of the outcome) just by virtue of the program and its inherent fairness and attention. I
would argue that SafeSport will ultimately aide in recruitment and retention of
families, in addition to safety improvement and liability reduction.
Now having experienced the impact and importance of SafeSport from these varied
perspectives, I am a true believer and staunch proponent. I dare say it far more
important than anyone conceived it to be.”
Samples of Complaints
Bullying complaints… player to player… some significant, some less significant.
Hazing… locker boxing
Whistleblower concerns and allegations or threats to dissuade reporting
Cell phones/pictures taken in locker room
Emotional abuse by coaches
Non-hockey related physical abuse (arrests)
On-ice game incidents (rough play, screaming coach, etc.)
Example of Response to Significant Matter
Notice to USA Hockey of an arrest of a coach/ owner in
junior program for online solicitation
Immediate discussion at Executive Committee
Immediate suspension
Discussions with police and prosecutors re extent of
allegations
Contact with all players and parents
USAH team went to Massachusetts to meet with players,
parents, new ownership
Assistance league with acquiring new ownership, coaches,
etc. for team to continue
Casey Jorgensen
USA Hockey General Counsel
719-538-1143
cjorgensen@usahockey.org
Joyce Kulpinski
USA Hockey SafeSport and Legal Administrator
719-538-1145
joycek@usahockey.org
MidAm
Elgine McArdle
2139 Market Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 232-0700 (work)
(304) 312-6076 (cell)
elgine@mcardlelawoffice.com