ARE THERE CLEAR PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING SUSPICIONS OR INCIDENCES OF ABUSE ? Push for organizations to provide mandated reporter training for their staff . Over half of all mandated reporters fail to report suspicion of abuse . In most cases they are simply confused or uninformed about their responsibilities . You can help by sharing this information . If you have reason to believe abuse is occurring at an organization , trust your intuition and make a report .
MORE QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS :
• Are parents encouraged to drop in at any time ?
• Can parents tour the facilities ?
• Are your staff and volunteers trained in sexual abuse prevention and response ?
• Do you have a code of conduct ? May I have it ?
• How are your policies disseminated and to whom ?
• Are the children aware of the rules ?
• How are older youth and adult athletes screened , monitored and supervised ?
• Do you train , allow and empower your staff and volunteers to report suspicions of sexual abuse ?
• If a staff member or volunteer violates the child sexual abuse prevention policy , what procedures and penalties will they follow ?
IF YOU DON ’ T LIKE THE ANSWERS TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS , YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR CHILD .
Did you
Know ?
The USASF requires each USASF member club ( gyms / studios ) to have a YOUTH SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY with clear , written guidelines that prohibit adults who have contact with minors from engaging in conduct that is either inappropriate and / or illegal . The policy requires that each member club : 1 . post the YOUTH SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION & POLICY & PROCEDURES for participants , their guardians , coaches and staff to see and ensure that they are meeting those standards .
2 . share and make available resources for parents to educate themselves .
3 . host an annual sexual abuse orientation meeting with all coaches , parents and volunteers . At minimum , clubs will educate parents on the availability of :
• FREE online parent training at athletesafey . org .
• Darkness to Light : https :// www . d2l . org /.
• Stewards of Children Prevention Toolkit App .
• USASF Code of Conduct & Compliance .
Each USASF member club is required to follow the MANDATED REPORTER LAWS of their state . A mandated reporter is someone required by law to report if they suspect or know that child abuse is occurring . It is the responsibility of the club administrator and / or owner to : 1 . know the laws that are specific for their state . 2 . post the legal requirements and reporting procedures for their state for all coaches and adult staff to reference .
3 . conduct an annual staff meeting that includes training on the legal requirements and reporting procedures for their state .
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