USASF Professional Responsibility Code 2019-2020 9.0 | Page 30

subject to appropriate disciplinary action including but not limited
to suspension, permanent suspension, and/or referral to law
enforcement authorities. The severity and pattern, if any, of the
threatening behavior and/or result shall be taken into consideration
when disciplinary decisions are made.
Harassment
Harassment includes any pattern of physical and/or non-physical
behaviors that (a) are intended to cause fear, humiliation, or
annoyance, (b) offend or degrade, (c) create a hostile environment, or
(d) reflect discriminatory bias in an attempt to establish dominance,
superiority, or power over an individual participant or group based
on gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, gender
expression, or mental or physical disability.
Examples of harassment prohibited by this Policy include, without
limitation such non-physical offenses as (a) making negative or
disparaging comments about a participant’s gender, sexual orientation,
gender expression, mental or physical disability, race, religion, skin
color, ethnic traits or other legally protected grounds; (b) displaying
offensive materials, gestures, or symbols; and (c) withholding or
reducing practice or playing time to a participant based on his/her
sexual orientation, gender expression (not to include prohibitions on
participation when eligibility is based on gender), disability, religion,
skin color, ethnic traits or any legally protected grounds
Sexual harassment is a type of harassment covered under the USCSS
Policies and Procedures
While other team members are often the perpetrators of harassment, it
is a violation of this Policy if a coach or other responsible adult knows
or should know of the harassment but takes no action to intervene on
behalf of the targeted participant(s).
A U.S. All Star Federation participant or parent of a participant who
engages in any act of harassing behavior is subject to appropriate
disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension, permanent
suspension, and/or referral to law enforcement authorities. The severity
and pattern, if any, of the harassing behavior and/or result shall be
taken into consideration when disciplinary decisions are made.
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Hazing
There shall be no hazing of any participant involved in any of the U.S.
All Star Federation’s Member Programs by any employee, volunteer,
independent contractor or other participant
Hazing includes any conduct which is intimidating, humiliating,
offensive, or physically harmful. The hazing conduct is typically an
activity that serves as a condition for joining a group or being socially
accepted by a group’s members.
Examples of hazing prohibited by this Policy include, without
limitation, requiring or forcing (including through peer pressure) the
consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs; tying, taping, or physically
restraining a participant; sexual simulations or sexual acts of any
nature; sleep deprivation, or the withholding of water and/or food;
social actions (e.g. grossly inappropriate or provocative clothing) or
public displays (e.g. public nudity) that are illegal or meant to draw
ridicule; beating, paddling, or other forms of physical assault, and
verbal abuse or threats or implied threats.
Hazing includes any act or conduct described as hazing under federal
or state law. Activities that fit the definition of hazing are considered
to be hazing regardless of a person’s willingness to cooperate or
participate.
Hazing does not include group or team activities that are meant to
establish normative team behaviors, or promote team cohesion,
so long as such activities do not have reasonable potential to cause
emotional or physical distress to any participant.
While other team members are often the perpetrators of hazing
toward their teammates, it is a violation of this Policy if a coach or
other responsible adult knows or should know of the hazing but takes
no action to intervene on behalf of the targeted participant(s).
A U.S. All Star Federation participant or parent of a participant who
violates this Hazing Policy is subject to appropriate disciplinary
action, including but not limited to, suspension, permanent
suspension and/or referral to law enforcement authorities.