1. USA Hockey Safe Sport Program
Kari Riley
MAHA Safe Sport Director

2. What is SafeSport?
The USA Hockey SafeSport Program brings together the various policies and procedures already in place within USA Hockey that are specifically designed to protect participants. The SafeSport Program takes these existing policies and adds several components to make a cohesive and comprehensive program that can be systematically delivered. This includes training, reporting and follow-up, response protocols, as well as monitoring and supervision procedures.

3. When did it start?
Beginning with the season, every USA Hockey Affiliate will have an Affiliate SafeSport Director whose duties will include monitoring the training of local program administrators and others within the Affiliate, serving as the Affiliate’s initial contact for:
Reporting suspected abuse, misconduct, or other violations.
Compiling information on disciplinary issues with the Affiliate.
Reporting such information to USA Hockey.
Your SafeSport Affiliate Director is Kari Riley.

4. Policies within the Program
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.
The SafeSport Program includes policies which address types of abuse and misconduct and sets forth the boundaries for appropriate and inappropriate conduct by addressing:
Sexual Abuse
Physical Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Bully, Threats and Harassment
Hazing

5. Proactive Policies
These policies are implemented to reduce the risks for potential abuse:
Locker Room Policy
Social Media, Mobile and Electronic Communications Policy
Travel Policy
Billeting Policy
All USA Hockey members shall familiarize themselves with each form of misconduct and shall refrain from violating any of these policies. It is the personal responsibility of each person (whether employees or volunteers) to immediately report observations concerning abuse or misconduct.

6. Sexual Abuse … definition
Sexual abuse occurs when an employee, volunteer, independent contractor, or other participant (including a minor participant) touches a minor participant for the purpose of causing the sexual arousal or gratification of either the minor participant or the employee, volunteer, independent contractor, or other participant (from here out referred to as participant categories). It also occurs if the above is true and occurs at the REQUEST OF or WITH THE CONSENT OF a participant category.

7. Sexual Abuse cont…
Sexual abuse can occur between adults and may also include:
Non-touching offenses, such as sexually harassing behaviors
An adult discussing his/her sex life with a minor
An adult asking a minor about his/her sex life
An adult requesting or sending nude or partial dress photo to a minor
Exposing minors to pornographic material
Sending minors sexually explicit electronic messages or photos (“sexting”)
Deliberately exposing a minor to sexual acts
Deliberately exposing a minor to inappropriate nudity

8. Physical Abuse … definition
Physical Abuse means physical contact with a participant that intentionally causes or has the potential to cause the participant to sustain bodily harm or personal injury. It also includes:
Physical contact with a participant that intentionally creates a threat of immediate bodily harm or personal injury.
Providing alcohol to an under age participant
Providing illegal drugs or non-prescribed medications to any participant

9. Physical Abuse cont…
To be clear about concerns with “hockey-related” behaviors. Physical Abuse does NOT include:
Physical contact that is reasonably designed to coach, teach or demonstrate a hockey skill.
Shooting pucks at a goaltender.
Demonstrating checking and other hockey skills
Communicating with or directing participants, during the course of a game or practice, by touching them in a non-threatening, non-sexual manner.

10. Emotional Abuse … definition
Emotional abuse involves a pattern of deliberate, non-contact behavior that has the potential to cause emotional or psychological harm to a participant. These behavior may include verbal acts, physical acts, or acts that deny attention or support. Emotional abuse does not include generally accepted and age appropriate coaching methods of skill enhancement, physical conditioning, motivation, team building, appropriate discipline, or improving athletic performance.

11. Emotional abuse cont…
Examples of emotional abuse include, without limitation, the following:
A pattern of verbal behaviors that
Attacks a participant personally by, e.g., calling them worthless, fat, or disgusting.
Repeatedly and excessively yelling at a particular participant or participants in a manner that serves no productive motivational purpose.
Physically aggressively behaviors, such as: Throwing sport equipment, water bottles, or chairs at participants. Punching walls, windows, or other objects
Note: Bullying, harassment, and hazing, often involve some form of emotional misconduct.

12. Bullying, Threats, Harassment
The purpose of this policy is to promote consistency of approach and to help create a climate in which all types of bullying, harassing or threatening behavior are regarded as unacceptable.

13. Bullying … definition
Bullying is the use of coercion to obtain control over another person or to be habitually cruel to another person. Bullying involves an intentional, persistent, or repeated pattern of committing or willfully tolerating physical and non-physical behaviors that are intended to cause fear, humiliation, or physical harm in an attempt to socially exclude, diminish, or isolate another person. Bullying can come in the form of written, verbal, or electronically transmitted expression or by means of a physical act or gesture.
While other team members are often the perpetrators of
bullying, it is a violation of this Policy if a coach or other
responsible adult knows or should know of the bullying
behavior but takes no action to intervene on behalf of
the participant(s) targeted.

14. Threats … definition
A threat to harm others is defined as any written, verbal, physical or electronically transmitted expression of intent to physically injure or harm someone else. A threat may be communicated directly to the intended victim or communicated to a third party. Note: The severity and pattern, if any, of the threatening behavior shall be taken into consideration when disciplinary decisions are made.

15. Harassment … definition
Examples of harassment include, without limitation, such non-physical offenses such as:
Making negative or disparaging comments about an athlete’s sexual orientation, gender expression, disability, religion, skin color, or ethnic traits.
Displaying offensive materials, gestures, or symbols.
Withholding or reducing playing time to a participant based on his/her sexual orientation.

16. Sexual Harassment …
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature may constitute sexual harassment, even if the harasser and the participant being harassed are the same sex and whether or not the participant resists or submits to the harasser.
While other team members are often the perpetrators of Harassment or sexual harassment, it is a violation of this Policy if a coach or other responsible adult knows or should know of the bullying behavior but takes no action to intervene on behalf of the participant(s) targeted.

17. Hazing … definition
Hazing includes any conduct which is intimidating, humiliating, offensive, or physically harmful. The hazing conduct is typically an activity that serves as a condition for joining a group or being socially accepted by a group’s members. Examples of hazing include but are not limited to:
Requiring or forcing the consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs
Tying, taping, or physically restraining an athlete
Sexual simulations or sexual acts of any nature
Sleep deprivation, or the withholding of water and/or food
Social actions (e.g. grossly inappropriate or provocative clothing) or public displays (e.g. public nudity) that are illegal or meant to draw ridicule
Beating, paddling, or other forms of physical assault

18. Hazing cont…
The activity known as “Locker Boxing” (aka: fighting with helmet and gloves) is a form of hazing that can produce head trauma in children and young adults and is prohibited in any USA Hockey sanctioned program. Activities that fit the definition of hazing are considered to be hazing regardless of a person’s willingness to cooperate or participate. Hazing does not include group or team activities that are meant to establish normative team behaviors, or promote team cohesion, so long as such activities do not have reasonable potential to cause emotional or physical distress to any athlete.

19. Locker Room Policy
It is the policy of USA Hockey that all Affiliates, Districts, leagues, and local hockey programs have at least one responsible adult present and directly monitoring the locker room during all team events to assure that only participants (coaches and players), approved team personnel and family members are permitted in the locker room and to supervise the conduct in the locker room. Any individual meetings with a minor participant and a coach in a locker room shall require a responsible adult be with the coach. The responsible adult that monitors and supervises the locker room shall have been screened. Further, responsible adults must personally monitor the locker room environment at all times while participants are present and also make sure the locker room is appropriately secured during times when minor participants are on the ice. It shall be permissible for a local organization or team to prohibit parents from a locker room. However, in doing so, the team shall ensure that properly screened individuals monitor and supervise the locker room as required above. With younger players, it is generally appropriate to allow parents to assist the player with getting equipment on and off before and after games or practices and they should be allowed to do so.

20. Locker Room Policy cont…
There will be NO use of a mobile device’s recording capabilities in the locker rooms of any USA Hockey sanctioned event, provided that it may be acceptable to take photographs or recordings in a locker room in such unique circumstances as a victory celebration, team party, etc., where all persons present in the locker room are either appropriately dressed and have been advised that photographs or recordings are being taken.
All local programs shall publish locker room policies to the parents/guardians of all minor players that are specific to the facilities they regularly use. The local program’s policies shall include the program’s:
practices for supervising and monitoring locker rooms and changing areas.
permission or lock of permission for parents to be in the locker rooms.
prohibited conduct, including at least all forms of abuse and misconduct prohibited by USA Hockey.
specific policies regarding the use of mobile electronic devices and phones and prohibiting the use of a device’s recording capabilities, including voice recording, still cameras, and video cameras.

21. Electronic Communications
Communications involving youth players should be appropriate, productive, and transparent. Effective communication concerning travel, practice and game schedules, and administrative issues among administrators, coaches, players, and their families is critical!
All electronic communication between coach and player MUST be for the purpose of communicating information about team activities.
Coaches and players must follow common sense guidelines regarding the volume and time of day of any allowed electronic communication.
Any content of an electronic communication should be readily available to share with the public or families of the player or coach.
If the player is under the age of 18, any , electronic text, social media, or similar communication MUST copy or include the player’s parents.
Coaches and players may use and text messaging to communicate. All and text message content between coach and player must be:
Non personal
Specifically for the purpose of communicating information about team activities.
Copied to the parent(s).

22. Travel Policy
Each USA Hockey Member Program shall have a team travel policy that is published and provided to all players, parents, coaches and other adults that are traveling with the team. It is strongly recommended that a signature by each adult acknowledging receipt of and agreeing to the travel policy be obtained by the organization/team. Some travel involves only local travel to and from local practice, games and events, while other travel involves overnight stays. Different policies should apply to these two types of travel.

23. Education & Awareness Training
It is the policy of USA Hockey that those participants who….
have direct contact to or supervision over youth participants
are responsible for enforcing child abuse and misconduct policies
are in managerial or supervisory roles
are new and current employees and/or volunteers
SHALL complete appropriate training about child physical and sexual abuse and other types of misconduct behaving, having contact with youth participants.

24. Education & Awareness Training
This training shall:
Provide definitions for, and effects of, child physical and sexual abuse
Provide definitions for, and effects of, all forms of abuse and misconduct (emotional, physical, and sexual; bullying, harassment, and hazing)
Identify risk opportunities for child physical and sexual abuse
Address common myths about offenders
Outline patterns, behaviors, and methods of operation of sexual predators.
Identify risk opportunities for abuse and misconduct in sports.
Identify policies, practices, and procedures to recognize, reduce, and report misconduct

25. Education & Awareness Training
Training is based on your position/job description. Local Program Administrator – These are the local programs (clubs) that register youth players. Required training shall include program leaders, administrators, board members, etc. who are representatives that are primarily and directly responsible for administering and supervising USA Hockey programs at the local level. Local Program Volunteers/Employees – They will be required to register with USA Hockey as a Manager/Volunteer (free of charge) and complete the USOC’s training prior to having access with youth participants. These designated people shall be well versed in the USA Hockey SafeSport program and shall take the USOC’s online training videos (approx. 90 minutes in length).

26. Education & Awareness Training
Effective in 2013, the MAHA SafeSport Director shall confirm and certify to the Affiliate that each local program registering youth players has completed the training on or before December 31st of each playing season. MAHA SafeSport Director shall confirm and certify to USA Hockey that each local program has completed the required on-line training.

27. Screening & Background Check Program
Purpose of a Screening/Background Check Program
Protect our participants from known offenders.
Deter offenders that have not been caught from joining programs
Protect USA Hockey’s reputation as a sport that is safe from abuse.
Help insulate USA Hockey, its affiliates, local programs and volunteers from liability that could arise from allowing a previous offender to have access to children.
Every Affiliate reports to USA Hockey the full name and identifying information of any individual that has been denied eligibility for employment or volunteer position based on that person not consenting to be screened, not passing a background screen or the existence of other information that makes a person ineligible. USA Hockey shall create a database of such ineligible persons and the appropriate Affiliate shall be notified of any attempted registration by a person that has previously been denied eligibility for a position.

28. Reporting Abuse Concerns
The goal is to have an effective reporting policy that results in reports of suspected abuse and misconduct, and does not in any way deter victims or witnesses from reporting such abuse or misconduct. When stakeholders are trained and policies are clear and well communicated, our players will be protected!

29. Policy on Reporting Abuse
The Policies for Reporting Concerns of Abuse include:
The Reporting Policy-describes who must report violations or suspicions of potential or actual abuse or misconduct.
The Reporting Procedure – describes
where to send reports (including to law enforcement)
how to make reports
confidentiality of reports
USA Hockey’s policy on anonymous reports
“whistleblower” protection verbiage
USA Hockey’s policy prohibiting reports made in bad faith.
Procedure for Handling Reports - includes
Further reporting to law enforcement when appropriate
Circumstances in which immediate suspension or termination is appropriate
Circumstances where referral of the report to the applicable local program, Affiliate, or USA Hockey to address, rectify and impose discipline where appropriate.
Notification Procedure – describes who receives notifications

30. The Reporting Policy Every employee or volunteer must report:
1) Actual or perceived violations of the USA Hockey SafeSport Program Handbook
2) Any violations of the policies prohibiting Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Bullying, Threats and Harassment, and Hazing.
3) Suspicions or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse to BOTH the USA Hockey representative and to local law enforcement authorities.
In some cases, a staff member or volunteer may be hesitant about reporting suspected abuse because they are unsure about the credibility of the person making the allegation, are unsure about the credibility or validity of the facts on which the allegations are based, or are concerned about the potential consequences of a false report. It is CRITICAL that staff members and/or volunteers should not attempt to evaluate the credibility or validity of child physical or sexual abuse allegations as a condition for or prior to reporting their concerns.

31. Reporting Procedure To Whom to Report
Suspicions or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse may, and in many cases must, be made to law enforcement authorities. In order to further protect USA Hockey program and participants, such reports should also be made to USA Hockey and/or the MAHA SafeSport Director.
Reports of other violations of any of the Safe Sport policies should be made to the local SafeSport Coordinator.
In some cases, a victim or complainant may feel more comfortable reporting to their Local Coordinator. Any reports to the local coordinator shall be forwarded to the MAHA SafeSport Director who may in turn refer back for initial action, investigation or discipline.

32. How to Report
USA Hockey’s Reporting Policy is a key part of its SafeSport Program and an effective reporting policy is crucial to preventing abuse. Section IV of the SafeSport Handbook contains specifics on the Reporting Policy.
The Policy requires that every employee or volunteer of any USA Hockey Member Program must report (1) actual or perceived violations of the USA Hockey SafeSport Program Handbook, (2) any violations of the policies prohibiting Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Bullying, Threats and Harassment, and Hazing, and (3) suspicious or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse to the appropriate USA Hockey representatives.
Additionally, in all cases involving suspicions or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse, every employee or volunteer of USA Hockey Member Programs must also report to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
Send report to your Local Associations Safe Sport Coordinator. The reported issue
Reports may also be made to the MAHA Safe Sport Director: Kari Riley, at
To make a report directly to USA Hockey, you may do so either by: (1) clicking on “Report to USA Hockey” at and completing the Reporting Form, (2) ing to or (3) calling

33. Confidentiality
To the extent permitted by law, and as appropriate, USA Hockey, its Affiliates and local programs will keep confidential the complainant’s name on request, not make public the names of potential victims, the accused perpetrator or the people who made a report of child physical and sexual abuse to the authorities.

34. Anonymous Reporting
Anonymous reporting may make it difficult for USA Hockey or the Affiliate to investigate or properly address misconduct or abuse. While it is recognized that it can be difficult to report an allegation, the goal is to remove as many barriers to reporting as possible. Anonymous reports may be made without the formality of completing a Report Form:
By completing the Reporting Form without a name
By expressing concerns verbally to USA Hockey, the MAHA SafeSport Director or to their Local Coordinator.
Through to USA Hockey at or the MAHA Safe Sport Director.

35. Whistleblower Protection
Regardless of the outcome, it is the policy of USA Hockey, its Affiliates and local programs to support the complainant(s) and his or her right to express concerns in good faith. None of these entities will encourage, allow or tolerate attempts from any individual, group or organization to retaliate, punish, allow or in any way harm any individual(s) who reports a concern in good faith. Any violation of the policy shall be grounds for disciplinary action.

36. Bad Faith Allegations
Reports of abuse, misconduct or policy violations that are malicious, frivolous or made in bad faith is prohibited. Such reports will be grounds for disciplinary action. Depending on the nature of the allegation, such bad faith reports may also be subject to civil or criminal proceedings.

37. How Reports are Handled
Suspicion of Child Physical or Sexual Abuse
Report to Law Enforcement and/or CPS
No investigation prior to reporting to law enforcement (except clarifying questions to aid in the report to law enforcement or CPS)
Note: When an allegation of child physical or sexual abuse is made, the accused individual may immediately be suspended (summary suspension) pending an investigation by an official agency. This shall apply whether or not the allegation involves an incident during a hockey program or event.

38. Handling of other misconduct & policy violations
When the case of bullying, harassment, hazing, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse is not reportable under relevant state or federal law, the local program, applicable Affiliate or USA Hockey shall internally address and investigate those alleged policy violations and misconduct and impose discipline where appropriate. Likewise, violations of USA Hockey’s Locker Room, Social Media, Mobile and Electronic Communications, Travel, and Billeting Policies shall be reported to the local program, Affiliate, or USA Hockey to address, rectify, and impose discipline where appropriate.

39. Follow Up Reporting to MAHA/USAH
All local programs shall promptly notify the applicable Affiliate SafeSport Coordinator of the results of any investigations, hearings or other proceedings within their program that involve violations of the USA Hockey SafeSport Policies or the SafeSport Handbook. Local Program Reports to MAHA MAHA Reports to USA Hockey

40. Responding to Abuse & other misconduct
In response to allegations of abuse or other misconduct, USA Hockey Bylaw 10 provides for disciplinary process that must be followed in connection with suspension or other discipline. Following Bylaw 10 will ensure a fair and reasonable process for handling reports of abuse by members. In all case, USA Hockey’s and its Affiliates’ and local programs’ programs’ disciplinary procedures and actions shall be proportionate, reasonable and applied fairly and equally. (Note: Actions of employees may also be addressed through employment policies/procedures/bylaws/constitution)

41. Summary Suspensions
Summary Suspensions are intended for those situations in which an individual’s continued participation poses a risk of ongoing physical or emotional harm and when there is reasonable belief that the individual has committed emotional, physical or sexual misconduct. In these instances, suspension may be imposed pending a final resolution of the complaint or legal proceedings. The SafeSport handbook, along with Bylaw 10, will outline the steps to follow should the need to issue a summary suspension arise.

42. Hearings
USA Hockey Bylaw 10.C. provides the hearing procedure applicable to disciplinary proceedings following complaints of abuse or misconduct or any violations of the SafeSport Program. It is recognized that not all discipline necessarily requires a hearing. There may be discipline imposed for minor violations where a reprimand, training, or other sanction may be imposed where a hearing would not be necessary. However, when a suspension is deemed necessary, the governing body shall offer the party the right to a hearing, and the hearing shall occur in accordance with Bylaw 10 and within the time periods required under Bylaw 10.

43. BYLAW 10 at-a-glance
The complainant, victim and accused has the right to receive
written notice of the report or complaint, including a statement of the allegations
to present relevant information to the hearing panel and any investigator
to be represented by legal counsel (at the party’s own expense).
The accused must be given reasonable opportunity to respond to the allegations. This may or may not include cross examination of the victim/complainant (exception may be if the complainant is a minor).
The hearing panel may proceed in the accused absence if the accused cannot be located or declines to attend.
The hearing may or may not be private at the discretion of the hearing panel.
The hearing panel should consult with legal counsel prior to making any of its decisions or reports public.
Make the accused aware of their appeal rights and deadlines for appeal.
Complainants or victims do not have the right to a appeal a disciplinary decision.

44. Jurisdiction of Hearing Outcomes
Decisions made by local programs should be confined to the local program area. Affiliate decisions should be confined to that Affiliate. One may request that the next higher level recognize and enforce the suspension. Local Program May ask Affiliate to recognize/enforce suspension Affiliate (MAHA) May ask USA Hockey to recognize/enforce suspension

45. Monitoring & Supervision of the Program
Ensuring that all aspects of the program (i.e., implementation and enforcement of policies, training requirements, screening requirements, responding, reporting and adjudication procedures etc.) are being followed, and improved, is critical to the success of the program. The result is participant SAFETY!

46. Monitoring & Supervision of the Program
Monitoring and Supervision must occur at all levels: Head Coaches – Responsible for monitoring his/her team and ensuring that Locker Room Policy, Travel Policy, Social Media, Mobile and Electronic Communications Policy, Billeting Policies are being adhered to. The head coach may delegate some of these responsibilities to team personnel, but as the primary supervisor of the team, the head coach is responsible for delegating as necessary to ensure compliance. Local Program – Responsible for ensuring that the program institutes and enforces compliance with its teams with all USA Hockey SafeSport Policies and Programs. Monitor their personnel to ensure that the program’s coaches, officials, program administrators, and other program volunteers and employees that will have routine access to youth participants, including but not limited to team managers, locker room monitors, travel chaperones, and team drivers. Promptly address any reports of abuse and misconduct. Make sure it reports to the Affiliate/USA Hockey/local law enforcement as is required under the SafeSport Program.

47. Monitoring & Supervision of the Program
MAHA Assure that local programs are compliant with directives as described previously. Effective with the season, Affiliates shall require and receive from each local program a certification of the program’s compliance with the USA Hockey SafeSport Program. USA Hockey shall provide the form of certification by Local Programs. USA Hockey Will monitor the Affiliates compliance within the SafeSport Program and shall provide a form of certification by Affiliates.

48. Thank you for your attention and for recognizing that PLAYER SAFETY is critical to the success and well being of our youth players.