What is SafeSport in fencing?
SafeSport is a body of rules created by the US Olympic Committee to govern the conduct of coaches, referees, officials and other adults in regular contact with athletes, with specificity to:
Sexual Misconduct, including Child Sexual Abuse
Emotional Misconduct
Physical Misconduct
Bullying
Harassment
Hazing
SafeSport policy is designed to protect athletes from misconduct perpetrated by persons in positions of authority over them in the context of a sport in which they participate.
These rules have been adopted by sports governing bodies across the US, including US Fencing. See US Fencing Safe Sport Policy
US Fencing has designated a SafeSport Co-ordinator, Suzie Riewald. You can contact her at (719) 866-2616 or email at s.riewald@usafencing.org
certification and background screen
SafeSport requires all coaches, referees, officials and other adults in regular contact with athletes (including club administrators and managers) to
undertake SafeSport training online and obtain SafeSport certification, renewable annually
undergo a background screen every 2 years
Except for persons under the age of 18, no one can coach, referee or have contact with athletes in a teaching/training capacity or offical capacity without SafeSport certification and a valid background screen.
See US Fencing SafeSport Requirements 101 HERE
See US Fencing List of SafeSport Certified Individuals (as of April 27, 2018) HERE
reporting process
Any one who witnesses an instance of abuse (other than sexual misconduct) can report it directly to US Fencing using the attached form. US Fencing will accept anonymous reporting, though they point out that this may hinder their investigations.
US Fencing SafeSport Abuse Reporting Form
Sexual misconduct must be reported directly to the US Center for SafeSports HERE or you can call (720) 531-0340.
See report on new laws governing reporting of child abuse (including sexual abuse) in sports HERE
Investigation and resolution
US Fencing is authorized by the US Center of SafeSport to investigate and resolve issues of misconduct (execpt sexual misconduct).
Sexual misconduct reports are handled exclsusively by the US Center for SafeSports.
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