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CaseyJorgensenUSAHockeyGeneralCounsel
BenTronnesUSAHockeyAssociateCounsel
OrganizationandStructure• NationalOrganization
Ø 91memberBoardofDirectorsØ OfficeinColoradoSprings,COØ USAHockeyArenainPlymouth,MIØ ADMRegionalManagers
• 34RegionalAffiliatesØ TheAffiliatesoverseeandgovernthelocalprogramsØ EachAffiliatehasaSafeSportCoordinator
• 3,000localhockeyprogramsØ GoverntheirlocalprogramØ MostlocalprogramshaveaSafeSportCoordinator
CurrentAmateurSportsClimateØHorrificsexualabusebyLarryNassar asgymnasticsdoctorsexuallyabusinghundredsofathletes.
ØNGBshavehistoricalcasesofsexualabusethathavereceivedsignificantattentionbasedonthehandlingofthereportsbytheNGBs.
ØUSOChasalsocomeundercriticismrelatedtosupervisionofNGBs.
ØCongressionalinquiriesexpandedtoallNGBs.
ØCongressionalhearingswithUSOC,Gymnastics,Swimming,Volleyball,TaeKwonDo andCenterforSafeSport.
ØAsanNGB,USAHockeyhasrespondedtoinquiriesfromCongressaboutourathleteprotectionpoliciesandourpoliciesforandhistoryofhandlingreports.
ØUSOChascommencedproceedingstorevokeUSAGymnasticsdesignationasagoverningbody,andhasbegunactionswithotherNGBs.
CriticalEventsCausingChange• SafeSportprogramsbegantodevelopin2010-2011.• SanduskyoccurredinNovember2011.• USAHockeydevelopeditsSafeSportProgramin2012.• Continuedprogressionofourprogramfor6years.• Nassar GymnasticsScandalbeginsin2016.• CenterforSafeSportopensinMarch2017.• Congressionalinvestigationsandhearings.• ProtectingYoungVictimsfromSexualAbuseandSafeSport
AuthorizationActof2017.• USOCreformsinoversightofNGBs.• Ropes&GrayReportinDecember2018.• HouseEnergyandCommerceReportinDecember2018.
DemandsandRequirementsforNGBs
• Federallaw
• USOlympicCommitteeimposesadditionalrequirementsforoversightofNGBs.
• USCenterforSafeSportauthorityexpands,andimposesadditionalrequirementsonNGBs.
• Tomaintainourpositionwithinsports,andtoproperlyoverseeourprogramsforthesafetyofourmembers,USAHockeymustenhanceourprogramsatthenationallevel,andmustoverseeandenforcecompliancethroughoutourAffiliatesandlocalprograms.
ØFederalLegislation– ProtectingYoungVictimsfromSexualAbuseandSafeSportAuthorizationActof2017– imposesnewdutiesonNGBs,localorganizationsandindividuals.
ØAmendsVictimsofChildAbuseAct.Ø MakesanypersonauthorizedbyanNGBtointeractwithchildrenamandatory
reporterofanysuspectedchildabuse.
Ø Criminalpenalties,civilremediesandstatuteoflimitations.
ØAmendsAmateurSportsAct.Ø DesignatestheCentertoexercisejurisdictionoverUSOCandNGBs.
Ø Centershallmaintainaneducationandoutreachofficetodeveloptraining,oversightpracticesandpoliciesandprocedurestopreventabuse.
Ø …andanofficeforresponseandresolutionforreporting,investigationandresolution.
Ø USOCoversightofNGBswillincrease.
ChangesThatWillbeRequired• MinorAthleteAbusePreventionPolicies
Ø One-on-OneInteractionsØ LockerRooms,TravelandElectronicCommunications
• USCenterforSafeSportCoderequirements• SafeSportTraining(annualtraining/includesadultageplayers)• BackgroundScreening• ReportingofCasesandResultsofALL SafeSportReports• AffiliateandLocalProgramSanctioningRequirement/
Agreement• AuditingofCompliancebyAffiliatesandPrograms
WhySafeSport?•Notjustahockeyprogram.Sportingandotheryouthservingorganizationsallhavesimilarprograms.•AdoptingandfollowingaSafeSportProgramisexpectedinourcultureandfromourMembers.•Toprotectourparticipantsbycreatinganenvironmentthatputsthepotentialoffenderatriskandkeepsthemoutofourprograms.•Topreventknownoffendersfromjoiningourprogramanddeteroffendersthathavenotyetbeencaught.•TopromoteUSAHockey,itsAffiliatesandlocalprogramsasorganizationsthataresafefromabuse.•Toguideourprogramsaboutexpectationsfromourmembershipandminimizerisksofabuse.
SomeStatistics• Beforeage18,between6%- 13%ofcompetitiveathletesexperiencesomeformofsexualabuseorassaultwithintheirsport.That’sasmanyas1outofevery8athletes.
• 80%ofcollegeathletesreportthatthey’vewitnessedorexperiencedsomeformofhazing.
• Themostreportedformofmisconduct,emotionalmisconductincreasesasathletesmoveupthecompetitiveladder,withasmanyas75%ofeliteathletesreportingthattheircoachesemotionallyabusedthemduringtheirathleticcareer.
• Childrenknowtheirabusersmorethan90%ofthetime.• Approximately1/3ofallchildsexualabuseoccursatthehandsoffemales.• Approximately1/3ofallsexualmisconductiscommittedbyminors.• Criminalbackgroundchecksonlyidentifypeoplewhohaveacriminalrecord– acheckwon’tcatch90%ofchildabusers.
ComprehensiveProgram
PoliciesProhibitingAbuse
• Policiesthatsetboundariesforappropriateandinappropriateconduct
Ø SexualAbuse
ØPhysicalAbuse
ØEmotionalAbuse
ØBullying,Threats,andHarassment
ØHazing
SexualAbusePolicy
• Prohibitssexualabuseofanyparticipant
• Sexualcontactbetweenchildrencanbeabusiveifsignificantdisparityinage,development,sizeorintellectualcapacity
• Neitherconsentofminor,mistakeastoage,norfactthatcontactoccurredoutsideofhockeyaredefensestoacomplaint
• Sexualabusemayalsooccurbetweenadultsifnonconsensual,coercedormanipulated
• Mayinclude“non-touching”offenses,suchassexualharassment,sendingnudepictures,sexuallyexplicitemails,exposingminorstopornography,etc.
PhysicalAbusePolicy
• Prohibitsphysicalabuseofanyparticipantinourprograms
• Includesphysicalcontactthatcausesorhaspotentialtocauseharm,orcreatesthethreatofbodilyharm
• Includesthrowingorthreateningtothrowobjectsorsportsequipment
• Alsoincludesprovidingalcoholtoaminorparticipant,orprovidingdrugstoanyparticipant
• Physicalabusedoesnotinclude physicalcontactthatisreasonablydesignedtocoach,teach,demonstrateorimproveahockeyskill,includingphysicalconditioning,teambuildingandappropriatediscipline
EmotionalAbusePolicy
• Involvesrepeatedand/orsevere deliberate,non-contactbehaviorthathasthepotentialtocauseemotionalorpsychologicalharmtoaparticipant
• Maybeverbalacts,physicalactsoractsthatdenyattentionorsupport
• Examplesincluderepeatedand/orsevere ofverbalabuseorphysicallyaggressivebehaviors,suchasthrowingequipment,waterbottles,orchairs,orpunchingwalls,windows,orotherobjects.
• Doesnotinclude generally-acceptedandageappropriatecoachingmethodsofskillenhancement,physicalconditioning,motivation,teambuilding,appropriatediscipline,orimprovingathleticperformance.
Bullying,Threats&HarassmentPolicies• Bullying – Involvesapattern ofphysicalornon-physicalbehaviorsintendedtocause,fear,
humiliationorharminanattempttoexclude,diminishorisolateanotherperson.– Includeswritten,verbalorcyber-bullying
• Threats – Involvesanywritten,verbal,physicalorelectronicallytransmittedexpressionofintenttoharm
• Harassment – Involvesapattern ofphysical/non-physicalbehaviorsthat(1)areintendedtocausefear,humiliationorannoyance,(2)offendordegrade,(3)createhostileenvironment,or(4)reflectdiscriminatorybias– IncludesSexualHarassment– Includes(a)commentsaboutsexualorientation,genderexpression,disability,religion,
skincolor,orethnictraits;(b)displayingoffensivematerials,gestures,orsymbols;and(c)withholdingorreducingplayingtimewithdiscriminatorybasis.
• Coachesandotheradultscannotignoreandmustintervene!
HazingPolicy• Includesconductthatisintimidating,humiliating,offensive,orphysicallyharmful• Hazingistypicallyanactivitythatservesasaconditionforjoiningagroup orbeingsociallyacceptedbyagroup
• Examplesincluderequiringorforcingtheconsumptionofalcoholordrugs;physicalrestraint;sexualsimulations/acts;socialactions(e.g.grosslyinappropriateorprovocativeclothing)orpublicdisplays(e.g.publicnudity);beating,paddling,orotherformsofphysicalassault.
• “LockerBoxing”isalsoaformofhazing• Aperson’sconsent toparticipationdoesnotmeanitisnothazing• Hazingdoesnotinclude grouporteamactivitiesthataremeanttoestablishnormativeteambehaviors,orpromoteteamcohesion,solongastheydonothavereasonablepotentialtocauseemotionalorphysicaldistress
• Coachesandotheradultscannotignoreandmustintervene!
ManagingHockeyEnvironments
• Policiestoreducetherisksforpotentialabuse
ØProhibitiononOne-on-OneInteractionsØLockerRoomPolicyØElectronicCommunicationsPolicyØTravelPolicyØBilletingPolicy
LockerRoomPolicy• Lockerroomsupervisionisoneofthemostcriticalelementstoreducingriskofabuseormisconduct
• Requiresatleastoneproperlyscreenedandtrained adulteitherinsideordirectlyoutsideandregularlygoinginsidethelockerroomtomonitor
• Atloweragegroups,numerousadultsmaybepresent• Teammayprohibitparentsinlockerroom(subjecttocommonsense)• Avoidsituationswhereanadultisalonewithminorparticipants• Cellphonesandrecordingdevices/camerasmaynotbeused inthelockerroom• Eachlocalprogramshallpublishtheirspecificlockerroompolicy• Coachandteamadministratorsareresponsibleforcompliancewithlockerroomsupervisionrequirements
• ManyteamsareCo-Ed,andtherearespecificpoliciesforthoseteams.
ElectronicCommunicationsPolicy• Electroniccommunicationsareoftenusedtobully,threatenorharassothers.
• Useofvariousformsofelectroniccommunicationsincreasesthepossibilityforimproprietiesandmisunderstandingsandalsoprovidespotentialoffenderswithunsupervisedandpotentiallyinappropriateaccesstoparticipants.
• Communicationsinvolvingparticipantsshouldbeappropriate,productive,andtransparent.
• Socialmediashouldbeusedforcommunicatingteamactivities,notpersonal.
• Anycontentofanelectroniccommunicationshouldbereadilyavailabletosharewiththepublicorfamiliesoftheplayerorcoach.
• Iftheplayerisundertheageof18,anyemail,text,socialmedia,orsimilarcommunicationmust alsocopytheplayer’sparents.
TravelPolicy• Minorplayersaremostvulnerabletoabuseduringtravel
• Adherencetotravelpolicieshelpsreduceopportunitiesformisconduct
• Localtravelshouldbetheresponsibilityoftheparents,notteam
• Teamshouldprovideadequatesupervision/chaperones
• Driversshouldhavedrivingrecordschecked
• Coachescannotdriveortravelalonewithorshareahotelroomwithanunrelatedminor
• Othervolunteersmaytravelwithunrelatedminorsonlywithparentalconsent
• Hotelroomsshouldbemonitored/checkedregularlybytrained/screenedadults
• Nocoachorchaperoneshallbeunderinfluenceofalcohol/drugswhileperformingtheirduties
One-on-OneInteractionsThemajorityofchildsexualabuseisperpetratedinisolated,one-on-onesituations.• One-on-oneinteractions betweenaminorandanApplicableAdult ataFacilityarepermittediftheyoccuratanobservableandinterruptibledistancebyanotheradult.
• Meetings betweenadultsandminorsataFacilitymayonlyoccurifanotheradultispresentandisadvisedthemeetingistakingplace.Ø observedandinterruptibleØ IfinanofficeataFacility,thedoortotheofficemustremainunlockedandopen.
Windows,blinds,and/orcurtainsremainopenduringmeeting
• IndividualtrainingsessionsarepermittedataFacilityifthetrainingsessionisobservableandinterruptiblebyanotheradult.Ø Ifnotobservable,thenthecoachmustobtainwrittenpermissionoftheminor’s
legalguardianinadvanceofthetrainingsession.Ø Permissionforindividualtrainingsessionsmustbeobtainedatleasteverysix
months.Parents,guardians,andothercaretakersmustbeallowedtoobservethetrainingsession
EducationandAwarenessTraining• Providesmemberswithinformationnecessarytomonitortheirorganization,minimizeopportunitiesforabuseandmisconduct,andrespondtoconcerns
• Availabletoallcoaches,managers,employeesandvolunteersatnocost
• Amembershipnumberisrequired,butthosenotregisteredwithUSAHockeymaydosoatnocostbyregisteringasamanager/volunteer
• SafeSportPolicyrequirestrainingforallcoachesandofficialsandthosethat:
ØHaveregularcontactwithorauthorityoverminors
ØAreresponsibleforenforcingchildabuseandmisconductpolicies
ØAreinmanagerialorsupervisoryroles
SafeSportTraining•• 2014-15• 2015-16• 201
• Traininghasbeeneveryotherseason,butwillbecomeeveryseason• Initiallymusttake“CoreCourse”– 90-120minutes• RefresherCourseisapproximately30minutes.• ParentTrainingavailable• YouthTrainingcomingsoon(withparentalconsent)
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 RefresherCoaches: 45,687 76,450 91,113 34,914Referees(>18): 12,689 24,837 29,549 13,068Manager/Vol: 14,958 31,256 43,227 8,056
Total: 73,334 132,543 163,889 56,488
SafeSportTraining
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 Total
• MAHAhad4,472coaches,4,074hadcompletedtraining(91%)• MAHAhad1,367referees,1,253hadcompletedtraining(92%)• MAHAhad2,997registeredvolunteers,1,957hadcompletedtraining(65%)
2017-18 Cumulative Total
Coaches: 54,694/58,213/94% 105,351
Referees(>18): 14,216/15,437/92% 32,733
Manager/Vol: 23,029 /33,137/69% 57,264
Total: 195,348
SafeSportTraining(Changes)
• Annualrequirement(withRefreshercourse)• Trainingfor18yearoldswithregularcontactwithorauthorityoverminorathletesØ 18yearoldplayersonteamswithminors.Ø Affiliateandlocalprogramboardmembersandother
volunteers.Ø Unclaimedcoachesandvolunteers.
• TrainingforMinors(“offerandgive”)• Postinglistoftrainedcoaches
ScreeningofStaffandVolunteers• PurposesofaScreeningPolicy:Ø ProtectsUSAHockeyparticipantsfromknownoffendersbypreventing
theiraccesstoprogramsØ DetersoffendersthathavenotbeencaughtfromjoiningUSAHockey
programsØ ProtectProgramsandtheirParticipantsfromallowingaprevious
offendertohaveaccesstominors
• Whenweallowacoachtoholdaposition,weareputtingourstamponthemthattheyhavebeenscreenedandtrained.
ScreeningRequirements• Current:
• AffiliatemanagesthescreeningprocesswithintheirAffiliate• Screeningisrequiredforallcoachesandofficialsandthosethat:Ø Haveregularcontactwithorauthorityover youthparticipantsØ AreresponsibleforenforcingchildabuseandmisconductpoliciesØ Areinmanagerialorsupervisoryroles
• Screeningmustbecompletedpriortopersonserving inthatrole• Screensarevalidfortwo(2)years• Affiliatesmustreportanyvolunteersthathavebeendeniedeligibilitybasedonthepersonnotconsentingtobescreenedorfailingascreen
• Affiliateisresponsibleforconfirmingandcertifyingcompliance
NationalBackgroundScreeningPolicy• USOCisdevelopinganewpolicyforallNGBs• Singlescreeningprogram/companyforNGB• ScreeningwillbecompletedinconjunctionwithregistrationwithUSAHockeythroughasinglescreeningprogram
• Enhancedscreens/additionaldatabases• Minimumscreeningcriteria• Screeningcostsincreased• 2020-21season• CompliancebyAffiliatesandProgramsmustincludeallcoaches,boardmembers,volunteers
• Reviewsdoneatnationallevel• ReviewofHitsinvolvingSexualMisconducttoCenterforSafeSport• Screensvalidformultiplesports
ReportingofConcernsofAbuse• Aneffectiveprogramrequiresareportingpolicythatresultsinreportsofsuspectedabuseandmisconduct,anddoesnotinanywaydetervictimsorwitnessesfromreportingabuseandmisconduct.
• Potentialabuserswillavoidinvolvementinaprogramwherethereisalikelihoodthatsuspectedabusewillbereported.
• ReportstoUSAHockeymaybemadeby:(1) clickingonthe“ReporttoUSAHockey”linkontheUSAHockeySafeSportProgramwebpage,(2) [email protected],or(3)calling800-888-4656.
• ReportsmayalsobemadetoAffiliateSafeSportCoordinator• Allcasesinvolvingsuspicionsorallegationsofchildphysicalorsexualabusemustbereportedto(A)theappropriatelawenforcementauthoritiesand(B)theUSCenterforSafeSport.
• USAHockeyanditsprogramsshouldnotinvestigateortrytojudgethecredibilityofanallegation ofsuspectedchildphysicalorsexualabuseasaconditionofreportingtotheauthorities.
WhatareReasonsPeopledonotReport?• Uncertainifwhattheyseeisactuallymaltreatment.• Uncertainifwhatyouknowisenough.• Fearofmakingafalseaccusation.• Fearofretaliation.• Fearotherswillknowyoumadeareport.• Hesitanttogetinvolvedinacomplicatedsystem.• Don’tknowhowtoreport.• Assumesomeoneelsehasreported.• Don’twanttodamagerelationshipwiththeaccused.• Don’twanttomakemattersworseforthechild.
Reporting,cont.• AlladultsinUSAHockeyaremandatoryreportersunderfederallaw – failuretoreportcanbeacrime.
• Weneedtobediligentaboutreporting…Ø Report,report,report…
Ø Confidentiality/AnonymousReporting
ØWhistleblowerprotectionwhenreportsaremadeingoodfaith.
Ø Complainantsareprotectedfromretaliation,punishmentorretribution.
ØMalicious,frivolousorbadfaithreportsaregroundsfordisciplinaryactionand/orcivilorcriminalaction.
§ Weneedtotimelyandfullyrespondtoreports.
JurisdictionforRespondingtoReports•USCSSExclusiveJurisdiction. TheUSCSShasexclusivejurisdictionover:ØAllegationsthataParticipanthasviolatedtheSexualMisconductPolicyØMisconductthatisreasonablyrelatedtoanunderlyingallegationofSexualMisconductØCriminalChargesorDispositionsinvolvingChildAbuseorSexualMisconductØMisconductrelatedtoCenter’sProcesses.
•USCSSDiscretionaryJurisdiction.TheUSCSShasdiscretionaryjurisdictionoverallegationsthataParticipantengagedinanyotherviolationsoftheUSAHockeySafeSportHandbookortheUSCSSCode
JurisdictionforRespondingtoReports•USAHockeyJurisdiction.
Ø USAHockey(includingthroughUSAHockeyAffiliatesand/orMemberPrograms)retainstheauthorityandjurisdictionoverallegationsofviolationsoftheUSAHockeySafeSportHandbookand/orUSCSSCodethatarenotwithintheUSCSS’sexclusivejurisdiction,providedthat,intheeventthattheUSCSSexercisesjurisdictionofamatterwithinitsdiscretionaryjurisdiction,thenUSAHockeyshallnolongerexercisejurisdictionoverthematter.
Ø PriortotheUSCSSexpresslyexercisingjurisdictionoverparticularallegationsregardingaparticularParticipant,USAHockeymayimplementnecessaryand/orappropriatemeasures,uptoandincludingasuspension,toaddressanyallegationsofmisconduct.
Ø AftertheUSCSSexpresslyexercisesjurisdictionoverparticularallegations,USAHockeycannotissueasuspensionorotherrestrictionthatmaydenyorthreatentodenyaRespondent’sopportunitytoparticipateinsport.
Ø USAHockey,oranAffiliateorMemberPrograminconsultationwithUSAHockey,mayimplementanynecessarysafetyplan(s)orinterimmeasure(s)toaddresssafetyofotherParticipants.
RespondingtoReportsofAbuse• SafeSportdoesnotcreateanewdisciplinaryprogramorsystem.• InrespondingtoallegationsofaSafeSportviolation,USAHockeyfollowsthedisciplinaryproceduressetforthinUSAHockeyBylaw10.
• Bylaw10istheexclusiveprocedureforimposingdisciplineoraddressingdisputesthroughUSAHockey.IsmandatedbyUSAHockey’sstatusasaNationalGoverningBody.
• Providesfor:Ø SummarySuspensionsØ OpportunityforaHearingØ NoticeofthehearingØ Disciplinaryauthorityhastheburdenofprovidingmorelikelythannotthatthe
violationoccurred.Ø AppealstotheAffiliateBoardofDirectorsandtoUSAHockeyExecutiveCommittee
HandlingaSafeSportReport
• ConflictsofInterest• Communicationwithpartiesiscritical• Mustinterviewcomplainingparty• Closing/ConcludingaMatter• ReportingtoUSAHockey
MonitoringandSupervisionTheMonitoringandSupervisionaspectoftheSafeSportProgramhelpsUSAHockeyanditsMemberProgramsmonitor,superviseandsafeguardthattheSafeSportProgramisbeingfollowed,andhowitmaybeimproved,toresultinasafeenvironmentforparticipants.• Coaches – Thecoachisprimarilyresponsibleformonitoringhis/herteamsothatlockerroom,travel,socialmedia,electroniccommunicationsandbehavioralpoliciesarebeingfollowed-- thesedutiesmaybedelegated
• LocalPrograms–Mustmonitorprogrampersonnelsothattheyareenforcingprogrampolicies,andsothatallvolunteersarescreenedandhavereceivedpropertrainingpriortoserving.
• Affiliate– AffiliateSafeSportCoordinatorsmonitorcompliancebylocalprograms--monitorsreports,investigationsanddisciplinaryactionswithinAffiliate.
• USAHockey–MonitorsAffiliate’scompliance,assistsAffiliate’swithinvestigationsandprovidesguidance,enforcespolicieswithnationallevelstaffandvolunteers.
• Twoprimaryfocuses:
ØEducationandOutreach
ØResponseandResolutiontoallegationsofsexualabuse&misconductinOlympicmovement(50NGBs)
• AllNationalGoverningBodiesarerequiredtobeundertheCenter’sjurisdiction.
• Requires:ØMinimumstandardsØDelegationofjurisdictionØEnforcementofdecisions
JurisdictionUSAHockey’s– “CoveredIndividuals”/“Participants”1. RegisteredParticipantMembers,whichincludesplayers,coachesandreferees,
aswellasthoseinthe“Manager/Volunteer”category.2. AllpersonsservingasamemberofUSAHockey’sBoardofDirectors,ona
nationallevelcouncil,committeeorsection,orinanyothersimilarpositionsappointedbyUSAHockey.
3. Allcoaches,officialsorstaff(e.g.,trainers,physicians,equipmentmanagers)foranyUSAHockeyteam,campornationallevelprogram.
4. AllUSAHockeynationalstaff.5. Anypersonswhoareauthorized,electedorappointedbyaUSAHockey
AffiliateorMemberProgramtoapositionofauthorityoverAthletesorthathavefrequentcontactwithAthletes.
ReportingRequirements• All“Participants”arerequiredtopromptlyreportanyallegedviolations
oftheSexualMisconductPolicytoCenterforSafeSportandtoapplicablelawenforcementauthorities.
• BecauseUSAHockeymaynotbeawareofthereport,personsarerequestedandstronglyencouragedtoalsoreporttoUSAHockey sothatUSAHockeycantakeimmediateaction.
• AParticipant’sfailuretoreportmaysubjectsuchpersontodisciplinaryactionbytheUSCSS.
• ThedutytoreporttoUSCSSdoesnotsupersedeanylocal,state,orfederalreportingrequirements.
USAHockey’sCenterforSafeSportReports
Ø TheCenter’sjurisdictionisovercasesinvolvingSexualAbuseorMisconduct(broadlydefined).
Ø USAH cameunderCenterjurisdictionApril1,2017.
• TotalReportstotheCenter:230
• PermanentIneligibility:33 (3pendingappeal)
• Other DisciplinaryMeasures:13
• ReferredBack/No Jurisdiction:86
• Pending/OpenCases:82(12withinterimsuspension)
• AsofFebruary14,2019,theCenterhadreceived2,120reports
• Nowaveragingapproximately175reportspermonth(increasing)
ChangestoAmateurSportsGovernanceAmateurSportsActpoliciesmustnowinclude:ØMandatoryReporting-- AlladultmembersofanNGBandalladultsauthorizedbytheNGBoramemberofanNGBarerequiredtoreportanyallegationofchildabusetotheCenterandtolawenforcement.
Ø One-on-OneInteractions – reasonableprocedurestolimitone-on-oneinteractionsbetweenaminorathleteandanadultwithoutbeinginanobservableandinterruptibledistance.
Ø ProhibitRetaliation– mustprohibitretaliationagainstanyindividualwhomakesareport.
Ø OversightProcedures– includingregularandrandomauditsofeachNGBtoensurepoliciesarebeingfollowed,andthatconsistenttrainingisofferedtoadultmembersthatinteractwithminors,andsubjecttoparentalconsent,tominors,regardingpreventionofchildabuse.
ØMechanismforReporting…NGBstosharereportsofsuspectedabuse.
Ø SummarySuspensions…NGBsmaycontinuetoissue.
OtherChangesComing
• AdoptionofnewPoliciesissuedbyCenterforSafeSport
• Bannedlistsbeingpublished
• AuditingofcompliancebyAffiliatesandPrograms
• TrainingtoAffiliates/LocalPrograms
• AffiliateandLocalProgramSanctioningRequirement/Agreement
WhatarewedoingtotellourmembershipabouttheProgram?
• Posterstoalrinksandprograms
• Brochuresonlineandavailable• USAHockeyWebsite
• CommunicationtoallMemberProgramsregardingtrainingrequirementsforcoaches&officials
• MemberProgramswillnowsignanagreementtocomply.
• IndividualsaretoldaboutSafeSportandaboutTrainingrequirementattimeofregistration.
ACommentbyanInvestigator…“BTW,Iamnowonour6th complaint….OnebyproductthatIdoubtanyonethoughtofisthatwhenupsetparentslearnthatmyselfandSafeSportexist,theyarequitethankfulthatthisprogramisthereforthem. Thereisapalpableattitudeamongstourconstituentsthatnobodyreallycaresabouttheirconcernsandthatthe“goodoldboys”willsweeptheuglinessundertherug. ImakeitclearthatalthoughIAMNOTtheirombudsman,Iamafairandimpartialinvestigatorthatwillinsurethatthematterisfullylookedintoandultimatelyresolved…ineachcasesofartheyhaveexpressedgratitudethatthingsarebeinghandledinthisfashionandareappeasedtoanextent(regardlessoftheoutcome)justbyvirtueoftheprogramanditsinherentfairnessandattention. IwouldarguethatSafeSportwillultimatelyaideinrecruitmentandretentionoffamilies, inadditiontosafetyimprovementandliabilityreduction.NowhavingexperiencedtheimpactandimportanceofSafeSportfromthesevariedperspectives,Iamatruebelieverandstaunchproponent. Idaresayitfarmoreimportantthananyoneconceivedittobe.”
“Iwouldalsoliketopointoutthatthisincidentshouldbeusedasalearningtoolaswell. Themajorityoftheabusesreportedtome,whichhappenonadailybasis,relatetoverbalabuseissuesbetweenteammates.Inalmosteverycase,thoseaccusedoftheabuseclaimthatitisdonewithjocularityandallingoodfun…unfortunately,thevictimsdon’tseemtobehavingmuchfunwithit. Further,duringmyinvestigations,parentstendtotakethe“notmylittleboy”attitudeandcoachesclaimtheydidn’tthinkitwasthatbad. Theimpactthatverbalabusecanhavevariesfrompersontoperson- plainandsimple. Tosome,itcanbetremendouslyharmful-especiallywhendeliveredbyteammatesthatthevictimlikes,respects,andmaywellidolizetosomedegree.Pleaseusethisopportunitytoremindyourkids,whetheryoubelievetheywouldbeinvolvedinthistypeofbehaviorornot,thatthereisnoplaceforbullying,verbalabuse,teasing,orharassment…inMinnesotaHockeyprogramsandactivitiesforsure,andhopefullyinschoolandotherareasoftheirlivesaswell. Mostkidsdon’ttakethistooseriouslyuntiltheybecomevictimsthemselves.Manypeoplefeelthatitissillytoexpecttoeliminatethisbehavior,andintheshorttermthatmaywellbetruetoanextent. But,wehavetotry,andwehavetostartsomewhere…MinnesotaHockey’syouthhockeyteamsseemslikeagoodplacetogiveitashot.”
CaseyJorgensenUSAHockeyGeneralCounsel719-538-1143cjorgensen@usahockey.org
JoyceKulpinskiUSAHockeyAssociateCounsel719-538-1103ben.tronnes@usahockey.org
