Big Legislative Changes Impact Abuse Prevention in Youth Sports

Did You Know?

There is a new federal legislation that is meant to prevent sexual abuse in youth sport. This is BIG, much needed, and right on track with what Player’s Health is working to accomplish: A safer and healthier environment for athletes.

The Safe Sport Act will promote change in youth sports by requiring prevention training, prevention policies, and mandatory reporting

The BIG THREE legislative changes and what they mean:

1) Prevention Training

Possibly the most significant element of the Safe Sport Act: The requirement for consistent training related to the prevention of sexual abuse. Training should be provided to parents, coaches and league officials. The goal is to better equip the youth sports community to spot signs of predatory behavior before any child is victimized.

2) Prevention Policies

In addition to abuse prevention training, youth sports organizations are required to put policies and procedures in place to prevent abuse of young athletes. One example would be limiting one-on-one interactions between an athlete who is a minor and an adult.

3) Mandatory Reporting in Youth Sport

There are new requirements for who should report an incident of abuse. The law refers to these people as ‘covered individuals.’

‘Covered individual’ means an adult who is authorized by a national governing body, a member of a national governing body, or an amateur youth sport organization that participates in interstate or international amateur athletic competition, to interact with a minor or amateur athlete at an amateur sports organization facility or at an event sanctioned by a national governing body, a member of a national governing body, or such an amateur sports organization. It is important to note how broad this federal legislation is and the interstate competition qualification for amateur youth sport organizations not sanctioned by a National Governing Body.

Are you affected?

The legislation indirectly affects all youth sports organizations, including athletic and sport programs offered by local leagues, churches, schools, camps, and non-profits. The article states that “at a minimum, all sports organizations are impacted by the Safe Sport Act’s creation of a new standard of care.” Now, all youth sport organizations are on notice that child sexual abuse is a real risk in youth sport, and reasonable steps should be taken to protect young athletes which include reporting, effective training, tailored policies, oversight practices and periodic safety system reviews. As to this risk, the Safe Sport Act will serve as a yardstick to measure the efforts of all youth sport programs.”

At Player’s Health, our number one goal is to improve athlete health and safety. We love the changes that are being made to the sports community and want to work with you to continue the improvements.

Reach out to Player’s Health to learn about how we can help protect your athletes and your sports organization by emailing us at [email protected]!

Your Partner in Athlete Health and Safety,

Tyrre Burks