APPENDIX I - REPORTING CONCERNS OF ABUSE AND / OR POLICY VIOLATIONS
APPENDIX I - REPORTING CONCERNS OF ABUSE AND / OR POLICY VIOLATIONS
The U . S . All Star Federation ( USASF ) recognizes that a key element to preventing abuse and misconduct is the implementation of an effective reporting policy that : 1 . results in reports of suspected abuse and misconduct , and 2 . does not in any way deter victims or witnesses from reporting abuse and misconduct .
Potential abusers will avoid involvement in a program where there is a likelihood that suspected abuse will be reported .
When sport stakeholders are untrained about how and when to report suspected abuse , they may feel ill-prepared , powerless and lost when it comes to responding to , and reporting , misconduct . By providing this guidance on when and how to report suspected misconduct , the U . S . All Star Federation seeks to remove barriers to disclosing misconduct , including child physical or sexual abuse and misconduct .
REPORTING CHILD PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL ABUSE AND MISCONDUCT
STEP 1 : Reports to law enforcement and / or child protective services and mandatory reporting
IMPORTANT : If a minor is in immediate danger or abuse is occurring call 911 immediately .
All states have mandatory reporting laws requiring persons holding certain positions to report suspicions of sexual or physical abuse of a minor . Members of the USASF who suspect sexual or physical abuse or misconduct involving a minor are required to report the allegations to law enforcement before they report it to the USASF .
Persons who wish to report suspicions or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse must make a report to the appropriate law enforcement authorities before reporting to the USASF .
A compilation of information related to when and how to make a report to law enforcement authorities can be found at :
• www . childwelfare . gov
• www . childwelfare gov / systemwide / laws _ policies / statutes / manda . cfm
• www . childwelfare gov / topics / systemwide / lawspolicies / state /
In some cases an employee or volunteer may be hesitant about reporting suspected abuse because they are unsure about the credibility of the person making the allegation or the facts on which the allegations are based . They may also be concerned about the potential consequences of a false report . It is critical that employees and / or volunteers not attempt to evaluate the credibility or validity of child physical or sexual abuse allegations as a condition for , or prior to , reporting their concerns .
An independent investigation can harm youth and / or interfere with the legal investigative process . Accordingly , the U . S . All Star Federation , its member programs and their administrators , employees and / or volunteers shall not attempt to evaluate the credibility or validity of allegations of child physical or sexual abuse as a condition for , or prior to , reporting to appropriate law enforcement authorities . As necessary , however , a person receiving a report may ask a few clarifying questions of the minor or person making the report to adequately report the suspicion or allegation to law enforcement authorities .
STEP 2 : Report the violation to a member of the organization ’ s management staff or other official representative that has been designated to receive reports of abuse or other inappropriate conduct . Example : Parents of athletes must first report the violation or misconduct of a coach to the owner .
STEP 3 : Report to the U . S . All Star Federation IMPORTANT : Please read the entire reporting policy before making a report . If you suspect or have knowledge of sexual abuse or misconduct please make a report to the U . S . All Star Federation . We prefer all reports to be made using an online form . This will provide the reporter with a format that is consistent and thorough and will speed up the process for action as the report will answer most of the questions the case manager will need .
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