DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Center for SafeSport (the Center) has launched a mobile app, SafeSport Ready™, to support athlete safety. The app is designed to help parents and others with a stake in safety better understand abuse in sport and how to address it. SafeSport Ready is the newest tool and first mobile app developed by the Center.
“Sports happen on the go, which is why we developed SafeSport Ready, an athlete safety tool that can be accessed from your phone—no matter where you are,” said Ju’Riese Colón, U.S. Center for SafeSport CEO. “Now you can have at your fingertips information about how to talk to kids about their sport experience, how to report suspicious behavior, and how to find out if someone you know has been sanctioned for misconduct in sport.”
The mobile app can be downloaded for iPhone and Android. Resources available in the app include:
- Age-specific tips for talking with your child about safety and well-being in sport like setting healthy boundaries and understanding appropriate versus inappropriate behavior.
- The ability to test your knowledge of types of abuse and how to recognize warning signs, including bullying, emotional and physical misconduct.
- Access to search the Centralized Disciplinary Database (CDD) of more than 2,000 individuals who are restricted or banned from participating in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement.
- Interactive steps for reporting abuse and misconduct that explain how, where and what information you need to make a report if you or someone you know has experienced abuse or misconduct by someone in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement.
“Preparation and knowledge are essential to abuse prevention,” said Monica Rivera, Vice President of Education and Research, U.S. Center for SafeSport. “SafeSport Ready expands the toolbox for adults committed to ensuring the children in their lives have a safe and enriching sport experience.”
Need for Abuse Prevention in Sport
The U.S. Center for SafeSport is the nation’s only independent organization dedicated to ending sexual, physical, and emotional abuse in U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sport. The Center emerged in response to high profile cases of sexual abuse of minor athletes within Olympic and Paralympic sport in the mid-2010s. With the mission of making athlete well-being the centerpiece of the nation’s sport culture, the Center has since been setting safety policies, and receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints of abuse and misconduct. The Center also serves as an educational resource for sports organizations at all levels, from recreational sports organizations to professional leagues.
With the goal of ensuring athletes within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement are safe, supported, and strengthened, the Center:
- Establishes safety policies, including the SafeSport Code and the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP).
- Investigates and resolves allegations of abuse and misconduct and levies sanctions, including temporary and permanent bans from sport.
- Delivers comprehensive abuse prevention education within and outside of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
About the U.S. Center for SafeSport
The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 codified the U.S. Center for SafeSport (the Center), as the nation’s safe sport organization. It furthered the Center’s independence while underscoring its authority to hold individuals accountable. It also charged the Center with developing policies, procedures, and training to prevent abuse and misconduct in sport.
In October of 2020, the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020 became law, even further strengthening the Center’s independence and oversight functions while mandating minimum funding requirements for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
The Center opened its doors in March of 2017.
Reporting and Resources
Report here to the U.S. Center for SafeSport if you have experienced abuse or misconduct—or if you have reasonable suspicion of abuse or misconduct—inflicted by someone in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. You can also call the Center at: 833-587-7233.
RAINN's 24/7 online hotline is available for crisis intervention, referrals, or emotional support at any time. You can also call RAINN at: 800-656-HOPE (4673).
The Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support at 988lifeline.org or by calling 988.
