GENERAL

Q: Who is the U.S. Center for SafeSport?

Established in 2017, the U.S. Center for SafeSport is the independent and exclusive authority directed by Congress to prevent and respond to all forms of abuse and misconduct within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. The Center is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The Center receives, investigates, and responds to reports of abuse and misconduct from individuals affiliated with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and its National Governing Bodies (NGBs). The Center ensures that the USOPC and NGBs properly apply policies and procedures to govern abuse prevention and maintains a database of individuals sanctioned from participation in their sport. Throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, the Center trains athletes, parents, coaches, volunteers, and organizations at all levels on best practices and principles for preventing abuse in sport settings. In doing so, the Center advances its mission of making athlete well-being the center of our nation’s sports culture through abuse prevention, education, and accountability.

Q: Why did USA Water Ski & Wake Sports institute a Safe Sport program?

As an amateur sports organization, we are required to follow the Safe Sport code per federal law S534, the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017. USA Water Ski & Wake Sports has always been committed to providing a safe environment for our athletes to compete and train. We believe this is paramount to the success of all our programs. The USOPC recommended all national governing bodies (NGBs) implement the program in 2014 and it became required of all NGBs in 2015. 

Q: Who determines how an individual who violated SafeSport policies is disciplined?

The Center handles all reports of sexual abuse within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movements, including child sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, non-consensual sexual conduct, sexual harassment, and intimate relationships involving an imbalance of power.

USA Water Ski & Wake Sports’ internal Ethics Committee handles reports of other misconduct, not pertaining to the above-mentioned forms of sexual misconduct.

Q: Is USA Water Ski & Wake Sports requiring members to do SafeSport training because the USOPC is making them?

No. USA Water Ski & Wake Sports is joining 15 other NGBs by voluntarily introducing requirements on members to complete SafeSport training. Given the family nature of our sport, there are very few events that exclude children. Additionally, unobservable and uninterruptible one-on-one interactions that take place between minor athletes and adult participants within our sport create vulnerabilities for sexual abuse and misconduct to occur. By requiring awareness training, USA Water Ski & Wake Sports is taking proactive measures to create a safe and positive environment for all members on and off the water. 

Q: If USA Water Ski & Wake Sports was not part of the USOPC, would members not be required to do SafeSport training?

Federal law (effective in 2018) broadly applied many minor athlete abuse protections and requirements to many amateur sports organizations (not just USOPC NGBs), and requires those organizations to adopt child abuse prevention procedures and implement training programs for adult members, and the SafeSport programs provide USA Water Ski & Wake Sports with the tools to accomplish these obligations. 

REPORTING

Q: How do I know if I am supposed to report? What am I required to report?

All USA Water Ski & Wake Sports members and participants must report to the Center conduct of which they become aware that could constitute (a) sexual misconduct, (b) misconduct that is reasonably related to the underlying allegation of sexual misconduct, and (c) retaliation related to an allegation of sexual misconduct. This report must be made within 24 hours of learning about the alleged misconduct. Importantly, the obligation to report requires reporting any conduct that comes to a member’s or participant’s attention, which if true, would violate the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code or USA Water Ski & Wake Sports’ Safe Sport Handbook. Individuals should not investigate or attempt to evaluate the credibility or validity of allegations involving sexual misconduct, as a condition of reporting to the Center.

If your concern deals with physical or emotional abuse or misconduct, bullying, hazing, harassment, or any other violation of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports’ Safe Sport Handbook, reports should be made directly to USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Executive Director Nate Boudreaux at nboudreaux@usawaterski.org or (863) 508-2095.

To report a violation of the MAAPP (Minor Athlete Abuse Protection Policy), please contact compliance@usawaterski.org or (863) 508-2093.

Q: How do I report a complaint?

The Center accepts all reports of sexual abuse and child abuse within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. Report here if you have reasonable suspicion of sexual misconduct or harassment, child abuse (including child sexual abuse), or intimate relationships involving an imbalance of power.

In addition, individuals may, and in many cases MUST report any allegation of child physical or sexual abuse to relevant law enforcement authorities. USA Water Ski & Wake Sports recommends you contact your local law enforcement authorities if you have a reasonable suspicion that child sexual abuse or neglect has occurred or have received a report of child sexual abuse or neglect. Reports or abuse not involving a minor may also be reported to local law enforcement authorities. Review your state’s mandatory reporting laws.

The Center also accepts reports of emotional and physical misconduct (including but not limited to bullying, hazing, stalking, and harassment) within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. 

Reports of emotional and physical misconduct can also be reported directly to USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Executive Director Nate Boudreaux at nboudreaux@usawaterski.org or (863) 508-2095.

To report a violation of the MAAPP (Minor Athlete Abuse Protection Policy), please contact compliance@usawaterski.org or (863) 508-2093.

Q: Can I make an anonymous report?

Yes. Whether reporting online, by email or by phone, you may stay anonymous. Please note, however, this may make it difficult for the Center to investigate and we will not be able to follow-up with you if we have questions.

Q: Am I required to report suspected abuse that occurred several years ago?

Yes. There is no statute of limitations applicable to reports made to the U.S. Center for SafeSport or to USA-WSWS.

Q: Why doesn’t the U.S. Center for SafeSport and USA-WSWS release information publicly about the results of its investigations or its decisions?

Publicly disclosing information is inconsistent with best practices and can jeopardize the Center’s mission to protect athletes and other sport participants. The Center’s decisions are always shared with the Claimant(s) and Respondent.

Q: What if I do not file a report?

It is the obligation of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports members and member clubs to report suspicions or allegations of abuse or misconduct, including compliance with all state mandatory reporting laws. If a person in authority knows, or should reasonably have known, that harassment or abuse may have occurred and fails to report it or take appropriate action as set out in this policy statement, that person may be subject to disciplinary action.

SAFESPORT TRAINING

Q: Who is required to take training? 

All adult participants (members 18 years and older) who compete or participate in sanctioned tournaments or have regular contact with any athlete or other Participant who is a minor are required to complete the Core SafeSport course and any required refresher courses annually. The purpose of this requirement is to educate members on how to prevent abuse in sport, how to recognize the red flags of emotional, physical and sexual misconduct, and what to do if abuse does occur.

The Core SafeSport training course is an online training module created by the Center. The Core training course covers Mandatory Reporting, Emotional and Physical Misconduct, and Sexual Misconduct Awareness Education topics, and takes roughly 75-90 minutes to complete. It includes pre- and post-quizzes and a final training certificate.

Completed annually after the Core SafeSport training, the Refresher course is a shorter (20-30 minutes) course designed to refresh your knowledge on misconduct in sport. Refresher courses likewise contain pre- and post-quizzes and a final training certificate.

Q: How often do you need to take the training?

SafeSport training occurs in a reoccurring 4-year cycle. The required SafeSport Core training (approximately 75 minutes) only needs to be completed once every four years. Three SafeSport Refresher Trainings, which takes approximately 20-30 minutes, must be completed annually thereafter.

Q: Is there a cost involved?

No. The training is free.

Q: How do I know I have completed the required SafeSport Training?

Your USA Water Ski & Wake Sports membership status on the dashboard within the Members Only area of the website will automatically update to "Current" once you have completed your training. You will also be given a chance to download or print your “SafeSport Trained” or “Refresher Course” PDF certificate after you complete your training. Please keep a copy of this certification for your records.

Remember, SafeSport training is an annual requirement. You will need to log in to your USA Water Ski & Wake Sports membership profile on or before your training lapses each year to renew. Auto-generated emails will be sent annually to remind you to complete SafeSport training.

Q: I am a survivor of abuse and believe this training could be an emotional trigger, what do I do?

If you are a victim or a survivor of abuse and believe this training could be an emotional trigger, please contact USA Water Ski & Wake Sports (Fran Buchanan at fbuchanan@usawaterski.org) or the U.S. Center for SafeSport at training@safesport.org, before accessing the SafeSport Training course.

Q: What happens if I do not comply with the SafeSport Training requirement?

Those adult participants (members 18 years and older) who compete or participate in sanctioned tournaments or have regular contact with any athlete or other Participant who is a minor who do not complete the required SafeSport training within 30 days of joining USA Water Ski & Wake Sports, will be ineligible to participate in USA Water Ski & Wake Sports activities, including tournaments and competitions, and will have a flagged membership until the training is completed.

Q: What happens if I join as a member at an event?

If you join as a USA Water Ski & Wake Sports member at an event, you will have 30 days from the day you join to complete the required SafeSport training. Scores attained at an event will count. If you do not complete the required SafeSport training after the 30-day grace period, you will be ineligible to compete and scores attained at an event will not be counted until the required SafeSport training is completed.

Q: If I have taken the SafeSport training once, do I have to take it again?

Yes. SafeSport training must be renewed on an annual basis. The Refresher courses are much shorter and take just 20-30 minutes to complete.

Q: What if I have taken the Core SafeSport training or any of the Refresher trainings through another sport or organization, do I need to take the training again with USA Water Ski & Wake Sports?

Any SafeSport training completed through another sport organization (e.g., hockey, baseball, basketball, etc.), if the dates of completion are valid, can be used to fulfill the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports annual training requirement. Members should send a copy of their Safe Sport completion certificate from the other sport to compliance@usawaterski.org.

Q: Why is the SafeSport training not required for USA Water Ski & Wake Sports members under the age of 18?

The U.S. Center of SafeSport currently offers free minor and parent training options. These trainings are not a requirement but are offered to members as additional educational resources. These free online trainings are designed as an introduction for minor athletes and their parents or other caregivers to understand the importance of positive, welcoming environments in sports, where misconduct like bullying or abuse is less likely to happen, and to know where to report abuse, should it occur.

The Center’s free Online Parent Toolkits give parents the necessary SafeSport information for young athletes. Separated by age group or combined for all ages, these Toolkits help parents understand SafeSport best practices and how to respond to signs of abuse.

Q: Why do I have to take the SafeSport Training if I am participating in a tournament and have little or no interaction with those under the age of 18?

USA Water Ski & Wake Sports’ Safe Sport Policy and the rules that govern it have been created to protect all athletes from misconduct. Recognizing the signs and behaviors associated with abuse will help all of us to prevent it. In addition, the training covers information on reporting, and under Federal Law, we all have a mandate to report any reasonable suspicion of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Q: Is there a classroom/ group training option for USA Water Ski & Wake Sports affiliated clubs to take that would allow for multiple members to complete the SafeSport Training requirement at the same time?

At this time, the U.S. Center for SafeSport does not offer a classroom style training to Safe Sport train multiple members at a time. To complete the requirement, members will need to access the training individually via their Member Portal.

USA Water Ski & Wake Sports recognizes that this is a method of training that would greatly benefit many clubs and organizations. Steps have been taken to consult with the Center to offer this opportunity in the future.

Q: What kind of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports membership type would require me to have to complete the mandatory SafeSport training?

If you are 18 years and older and compete or participate in sanctioned tournaments or have regular contact with any athlete or other Participant who is a minor and joined/renewed as an Individual Active, Under 25 Active, Family, or Grassroots Membership, then you will be required to be SafeSport trained to maintain an eligible membership.

Those who obtain guest and/or supporting memberships, regardless of age, will NOT be required to be SafeSport trained.

Minors of all membership types are encouraged to participate in optional Minor SafeSport training.

Q: Does USA Water Ski & Wake Sports see any insurance benefit by having all adult members SafeSport trained?

From a liability standpoint, our general liability insurance carrier supported the SafeSport training decision. Although the requirement does not affect our insurance premium directly, it puts the organization in a better position with carriers moving forward. Some NGBs and other sports organizations have now become uninsurable because of claims regarding sexual abuse and misconduct.