USA Hockey’s SafeSport Program Jennifer Boulden Program Administrator KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE!

Purpose The USA Hockey SafeSport program was developed to give all participants (and their parents) confidence that they are playing our sport in the safest possible environment, both on and off the ice. USA Hockey has implemented policies addressing certain types of abuse and misconduct, and certain policies intended to reduce, monitor and govern the areas where potential abuse and misconduct can occur.

What topics will the SafeSport Program address?  Sexual Abuse  Physical Abuse  Emotional Abuse  Bullying, Threats and Harassment  Hazing  Locker room, social media, and travel guidelines USA Hockey is committed to creating a safe and positive environment for its participants’ physical, emotional, and social development and to ensuring that it promotes an environment free from abuse and misconduct. USA Hockey has ZERO TOLERANCE policy regarding all forms of abuse and/or misconduct.

What topics does the SafeSport Program NOT address?  Coaching Style  Structure/Plan of Game Play  Distribution of Playing Time  Player Position Assignments  Disputes between parent/player expectations and coaches expectations  Incidents that occur outside the realm of NPHA activities (i.e. neighborhood, school, etc.)  Please Note: Issues not related to abuse or misconduct are treated as “grievances” between parties. Procedures for addressing grievances are defined in the NPHA handbook. Please refer to this document for more information.

Key Points  SafeSport guidelines apply to all participants: parents, players, coaches and community members.  Players should not enter a locker room until a coach/locker room supervisor is present.  NO electronic devices are allowed in locker rooms (i.e. ipods, phones, cameras, etc.).  Mixed gender teams will plan for separate changing times.  Locker rooms must be secured while players are on the ice.

Key Points (continued)  Any misconduct on the part of a participant/s that violates these guidelines will be reported immediately and investigated by the NPHA SafeSport Coordinator with collaboration from the District 6 SafeSport Coordinator and/or the MN Hockey SafeSport Coordinator.  Misconduct that allegedly violates any legal statute (i.e. sexual abuse) will immediately be referred to local law enforcement agencies and NPHA SafeSport involvement will be suspended pending the outcome of the local law enforcement’s investigation.  A report made in “bad faith” may result in disciplinary action for the participant filing the allegation.

Remember!!!  Abuse or misconduct is not limited to interactions between coaches and their players.  Any incidents of abuse or misconduct on the part of players towards their coaches are reportable as well.  Watch for abuse or misconduct among players and ensure that participants are being safe and respectful of one another at all times (ice, dryland, lobby, etc.).  Guidelines apply to all participants within the association, even those who are not directly involved in the coaching or playing of the game.

Who will be trained regarding the SafeSport Program?  Administrators within the NPHA  Coaches  Players  Parents  Volunteers  Managers  Locker Room Monitors

Potential Consequences  Temporary Suspension  Permanent Suspension  Removal from all NPHA sponsored events  Referral to law enforcement authorities  Legal charges  Permanent criminal record

Contacts  NPHA SafeSport Coordinator, Jennifer Boulden: (952)  New Prague Police Department: 911 or (952)  Scott County Human Services: (952) Note: A mandated reporter who knows or has reason to believe that a child is or has been neglected or physically/sexually abused and fails to report is guilty of a misdemeanor.