Remembering to Keep Kids Safe on Safer in Sports Day
Recognized annually on August 8 by the International Safeguards for Children in Sport Initiative, Safer in Sports Day provides an opportunity for USA Swimming to raise greater awareness of the resources and programs available to protect athletes from abuse in our sport. Use the information below to help guide your season plan and incorporate abuse prevention as a top priority.
What is USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program?
USA Swimming's Safe Sport program is a comprehensive abuse prevention program that takes a multi-layered approach to keeping kids safe. It includes required policies and best practice guidelines, mandatory screening, training and education and monitoring, supervision, and mandatory reporting. These measures are based on expert analysis of child safety and are among the most robust safeguards found in any youth-serving organization. Learn more about USA Swimming Safe Sport here.
What resources are available?
There are numerous recourses available for coaches, athletes, parents, and other members of USA Swimming, including:
- Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Program (MAAPP): Customize your MAAPP and make sure your program receives annual consent.
- Safe Sport Club Recognition Program (SSRP): Go above and beyond USA Swimming requirements by becoming an SSRP-approved program.
- Free Training: Take advantage of FREE virtual training for all athletes, parents, and coaches each month. Additionally, members can access numerous courses through their USA Swimming account dashboard in USA Swimming University.
- Tip: Clubs can request free specialized training by emailing USA Swimming Safe Sport staff at safesport@usaswimming.org.
- Club Toolkit: Use free downloadable resources like model policies, team templates, and best practice guidelines to incorporate USA Swimming Safe Sport into your club's operations.
- Reporting: Under federal law, all adults authorized to interact with minor or amateur athletes who learn of facts that give reason to suspect a child has suffered an incident of abuse, including sexual abuse, must make a report of the suspected abuse to law enforcement and/or your state's designated agency within 24 hours. Know when and where you should report. Learn more about reporting a concern here.
- Background Checks: USA Swimming was among the first national governing bodies to require criminal background checks on coaches. The requirement deters individuals who should not be working with athletes from ever applying for membership. Read the background check FAQ here.
- Guide to Child Physical Abuse: Child abuse can take place in many forms, including physical abuse. Read more on how you can be an advocate against abuse here.
- Support and Resources for Survivors: Providing support and resources to survivors of abuse, whenever possible, is just as important as the development of educational resources in abuse prevention programs. Find more information on support and resources for survivors here.
Who can I reach out to for questions or guidance?
USA Swimming’s Safe Sport staff is always available to help. Email safesport@usaswimming.org or learn more on the website here.