SafeSport Youth and Parent Resources
In your trusted position as a parent or guardian, you are uniquely equipped to support athletes on and off the field. By promoting strong and healthy relationships among athletes, parents, and coaches, and by spotting emerging problems before they worsen, you can help create a safer sport culture.
The U.S. Center for SafeSport offers free online trainings designed as an introduction for minor athletes and their parents or 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.
A Parental Consent Form (PDF) for Youth Training must be completed and emailed to compliance@usawaterski.org prior to completing any of the youth training courses.
Courses Include:
Parent's Guide to Misconduct in Sports - 35 Minutes
Designed for parents of youth athletes at any age, this free course educates parents on recognizing, responding to, and preventing abuse and misconduct in their child's sport setting. Featured are voices and perspectives of experts and advocates, with sound guidance on fostering positive and safe sport experiences for children both on field and at home. Parents will come away equipped with information and tactics to minimize risks of harm to their children.
SafeSport™ For Youth Athletes (AGE 13+) - 15 Minutes
This course focuses on bullying and hazing prevention, supporting friends who have experienced sexual abuse or misconduct, and resources for reporting. Requires parental consent for registration.
To access these courses, please visit safesporttrained.org and sign up.
Note: These courses are not required for participation and USA Water Ski & Wake Sports is not recording or tracking a person's completion of the courses. The courses are not a substitute for any required training. The U.S. Center for SafeSport has developed these additional interactive, educational resources to help create a culture of safety and respect in any sports program.
Below are other important resources for preventing abuse.
- Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress: Athletes As Leaders
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: KidSmartz and NetSmartz
- Monique Burr Foundation: MBF Athlete Safety Matters
The SafeSport Helpline (run by RAINN) provides crisis intervention, referrals, and emotional support specifically designed for athletes, staff, and other SafeSport participants affected by sexual violence. Through this service, support specialists provide live, confidential, one-on-one support. All services are anonymous, secure, and available 24/7.
Click here to access the U.S. Center for SafeSport Parent Toolkit
If a report needs to be filed with the Center, anyone can report here.
To view the U.S. Center for SafeSport Online Training Catalog, click here. This catalog includes descriptions of both mandatory and optional training.