APPENDIX I - REPORTING CONCERNS OF ABUSE AND / OR POLICY VIOLATIONS
WHO AND WHAT IS REQUIRED TO REPORT
It is policy that every member of the U . S . All Star Federation , and every employee or volunteer of any U . S . All Star Federation member , must report :
1 . Suspicions or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse to the appropriate law enforcement authorities . A compilation of information on when a person must 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 /
2 . Actual or perceived violations of the U . S . Center for SafeSport Code to the U . S . All Star Federation .
3 . Any violations of the USASF SafeSport Code that pertain to athlete safety and protection , including acts of abuse or misconduct that are sexual , physical or emotional in nature as well as any instances of bullying , threats , harassment or hazing to the U . S . All Star Federation .
4 . Any violations of the USASF required proactive Minor Abuse Prevention policies to the U . S . All Star Federation .
5 . Any violations of the Professional Responsibility Code in Section I : Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention .
Failure to report suspicions or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse to the appropriate law enforcement authorities is a violation of this policy , the USASF SafeSport Code , the USASF Sexual Abuse and Prevention Policy , and the Professional Responsibility Code ( hereby referred to as PRC ) and is grounds for disciplinary action .
In addition to any legal obligation to report sexual abuse or misconduct to law enforcement authorities , all covered individuals are required to and shall promptly report any alleged misconduct and / or policy violations of to the U . S . All Star Federation . A covered individual ’ s failure to report may subject said person to disciplinary action .
CONFIDENTIALITY
To the extent permitted by law , and as appropriate , the U . S . All Star Federation and all USASF member programs shall , on request from the complainant , keep the complainant ’ s name confidential , not make public the names of potential victims , the accused perpetrator or the people who made a report of child physical and sexual abuse to the authorities .
ANONYMOUS REPORTS
The U . S . All Star Federation recognizes it can be difficult for an athlete , teammate , friend or family member to report an allegation of misconduct and strives to remove as many barriers to reporting as possible . It should be understood
42 by all parties , including the complainant , that anonymous reporting may make it difficult for the U . S . All Star Federation or the All Star Program owner or administrator to investigate or properly address misconduct or abuse . Despite the limitations inherent in allowing anonymous reports they will be accepted , investigated and acted upon to the extent which the information provided allows .
Anonymous reports may be made : 1 . by completing the Reporting Form without including their name ;
2 . by expressing concerns verbally to the U . S . All Star Federation , the All Star program owner or administrator ; and / or
3 . via email to U . S . All Star Federation or to the program owner or administrator .
PROTECTING THOSE WHO MADE REPORTS “ WHISTLEBLOWER ” PROTECTION
Regardless of outcome , it is the policy of the U . S . All Star Federation and all U . S . All Star Federation member programs to support the complainant ( s ) and their right to express concerns in good faith . Neither the U . S . All Star Federation nor any U . S . All Star Federation member program will encourage , allow or tolerate attempts from any individual , group or organization to retaliate , punish or in any way harm any individual ( s ) who report ( s ) a concern in good faith or otherwise participates in an investigation ( e . g . , a witness ). Such actions against a complainant , witness or other complainant will be considered a violation of the U . S . All Star Federation SafeSport Code and the PRC and thus will be grounds for disciplinary action and potential civil or criminal proceedings .
PROHIBITING REPORTS MADE IN BAD FAITH
Bad-faith allegations are prohibited . A report of abuse , misconduct or policy violation that is malicious , frivolous or made in bad faith will be considered a violation of the U . S . All Star Federation SafeSport Code and the PRC and thus grounds for disciplinary action . Depending on the nature of the allegation , a person making a malicious , frivolous or bad-faith report may also be subject to civil or criminal proceedings .
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Any person or organization who may have a conflict of interest because they are named in a complaint , are a witness to an allegation , are closely affiliated with the person accused of misconduct or may have other potential bias are considered to have a conflict of interest in the investigation or outcome of the complaint and shall be recused from participating in an investigation or other disciplinary process . The investigation and hearing process shall be handled by persons who are reasonably