1. NHAHA Implementation 2013-2014

2. Why SafeSport?
To prevent known offenders from joining our program and deter offenders that have not yet been caught.
To protect our participants by creating an environment that puts the potential offender at risk and deters them from becoming involved.
To protect the reputations of USA Hockey, its Affiliates and local programs as organizations that are safe from abuse.
To prevent negligence (guide our programs and volunteers about expectations from our membership) and help insulate USA Hockey, its affiliates, local programs and volunteers from liability.

3. Some Statistics
Before age 18, between 6% - 13% of competitive athletes experience some form of sexual abuse or assault within their sport. That’s as many as 1 out of every 8 athletes.
80% of college athletes report that they’ve witnessed or experienced some form of hazing.
The most reported form of misconduct, emotional misconduct, increases as athletes move up the competitive ladder, with as many as 75% of elite athletes reporting that their coaches emotionally abused them during their athletic career.
Children know their abusers more than 90% of the time.
Criminal background checks and sexual offender registries only identify people who have a criminal record – a check won’t catch 90% of child abusers.
BARRIERS TO REPORTING

4. What is Safe Sport? regulates conduct
provide mechanisms for members to report suspected abuse, and
creates an environment that is hostile to potential abusers.

5. Safe Sport Module

7. Policies Prohibiting Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Physical Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Bullying, Threats, and Harassment
Hazing

8. Policies Reducing Risks for Potential Abuse
Managing Hockey Environments
Locker Room Policy
Electronic Communications Policy
Travel Policy
Billeting Policy

9. Sexual Abuse Policy Prohibits sexual abuse of any participant
Sexual contact between children can be abusive if significant disparity in age, development, size or intellectual capacity
Neither consent of minor, mistake as to age, nor fact that contact occurred outside of hockey are defenses to a complaint
Sexual abuse may also occur between adults if nonconsensual, coerced or manipulated
May include “non-touching” offenses, such as sexual harassment, sending nude pictures, sexually explicit s, exposing minors to pornography, etc.

10. Physical Abuse Policy
Prohibits physical abuse of any participant in our programs
Includes physical contact that causes or has potential to cause harm, or creates the threat of bodily harm
Includes throwing or threatening to throw objects or sports equipment
Also includes providing alcohol to a minor participant, or providing drugs to any participant
Physical abuse does not include physical contact that is reasonably designed to coach, teach, demonstrate or improve a hockey skill, including physical conditioning, team building and appropriate discipline

11. Emotional Abuse Policy
Involves a pattern of deliberate, non-contact behavior that has the potential to cause emotional or psychological harm to a participant
May be verbal acts, physical acts or acts that deny attention or support
Examples include a pattern of verbal abuse or physically aggressive behaviors, such as throwing equipment, water bottles, or chairs, or punching walls, windows, or other objects.
Does not include generally-accepted and age appropriate coaching methods of skill enhancement, physical conditioning, motivation, team building, appropriate discipline, or improving athletic performance.

12. Bullying, Threats & Harassment Policy Coaches and other adults cannot ignore and must intervene
Bullying – Involves a pattern of physical or non-physical behaviors intended to cause, fear, humiliation or harm in an attempt to exclude, diminish or isolate another person; Includes written, verbal or Cyber-bullying
Threats – Involves any written, verbal, physical or electronically transmitted expression of intent to harm
Harassment – Involves a pattern of physical/non-physical behaviors that (1) are intended to cause fear, humiliation or annoyance, (2) offend or degrade, (3) create hostile environment, or (4) reflect discriminatory bias
Sexual Harassment- Examples include (a) comments about a participant’s sexual orientation, gender expression, disability, religion, skin color, or ethnic traits; (b) displaying offensive materials, gestures, or symbols; and (c) withholding or reducing playing time based on sexual orientation.

13. Hazing Policy Coaches and other adults cannot ignore and must intervene
Includes any conduct which is intimidating, humiliating, offensive, or physically harmful
Hazing is typically an activity that serves as a condition for joining a group or being socially accepted by a group
Examples include requiring or forcing the consumption of alcohol or drugs; physical restraint; sexual simulations/acts; social actions (e.g. grossly inappropriate or provocative clothing) or public displays (e.g. public nudity); beating, paddling, or other forms of physical assault.
“Locker Boxing” is also a form of hazing
A person’s consent to participation does not mean it is not hazing
Hazing does not include group or team activities that are meant to establish normative team behaviors, or promote team cohesion, so long as they do not have reasonable potential to cause emotional or physical distress

14. Avoid situations where an adult is alone with minor participants
Locker Room Policy Locker room supervision is one of the most critical elements to reducing risk of abuse or misconduct
Requires at least one properly screened adult
At lower age groups, numerous adults may be present
Team may prohibit parents in locker room (subject to common sense)
Avoid situations where an adult is alone with minor participants
Cell phones and recording devices/cameras may not be permitted in the locker room
Each local program shall publish their specific locker room policy and abide by NHAHA rules
Coach and team administrators are responsible for compliance with locker room supervision requirements
With Co-Ed teams both female and male privacy rights must be given consideration and appropriate arrangements made. It is not acceptable for persons to be observing the opposite gender while they dress or undress

15. Locker Room Supervision
USA Hockey is concerned with locker room activities between minor players; minor players and adult players; adults being alone with individual minor players in locker rooms; and with non-official or non-related adults having unsupervised access to minor participants at sanctioned team events. It is the policy of USA Hockey that all affiliates, districts, leagues, and local hockey programs have at least one responsible adult present 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. 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. Teams, leagues and local hockey associations shall also comply with the USA Hockey Co-Ed locker room policy.

16. Co-Ed Locker Room
The issue of co-ed dressing arrangements in locker rooms continues to come up, and USA Hockey is frequently asked to provide some type of guideline about dealing with such situations. Teams, leagues, associations and USA Hockey need to recognize that there are gender equity issues to deal with when managing a coed locker room setting. Both female and male privacy rights must be given consideration and appropriate arrangements made. USA Hockey’s  member organizations should consider the following:
Recognize that it is an issue that must be dealt with and that favoring one group over another can produce legal ramifications;
Recognize that the ideal situation of using two, separate dressing rooms is not possible in many ice rink/arena settings;
Recognize that it is an issue that will increase in visibility as girls’/women’s participation in USA Hockey continues to grow; and
Recognize that it is an issue for members who are participating as players, coaches and officials.
Our recommendations, made in conjunction with the Girls’/Women’s Section, the Coaching Education Program and the Officiating Program, are as follows: NOTE: Make certain that two properly screened adults are present in locker room settings to supervise. Arrange to provide supervisors who are of the same sex as the children they are to protect. Please follow Coaching Ethics guidelines.
Where possible, have the male and female players undress/dress in separate locker rooms; then convene in a single dressing room to hold the coach’s pregame meeting;
Once the game is finished, hold the coach’s post-game meeting; then have the male and female players proceed to their separate dressing rooms to undress and shower (separately), if available.

17. Co-Ed Locker Room
In those cases where separate facilities are not available, have one gender enter the locker room and change into their uniforms. That gender then leaves the locker room, while the other gender dresses. Both genders would then assemble in the locker room and hold the coach’s pre-game meeting.
Following the game and the coach’s post-game meeting, where separate facilities are not available, the second gender group enters the locker room and undresses, while the first group waits outside until they have undressed and left the room. Once the second group leaves, the first group enters the locker room and undresses.
NOTE: Taking turns is a means of ‘reasonable accommodation’, so neither gender group is favored, nor is “the ones who always have to wait” and it’s fair. Failing to establish some type of similar procedure, or failure to seriously consider the privacy issues will likely lead to complaints and/or lawsuits. By being proactive on this issue, everyone [coaches, players, officials, volunteers and parents] can enjoy the sport without the worry of legal actions or the invasion of privacy concerns arising. Lastly, reinforce to all players, coaches, officials, volunteers and parents that your organizations are going to take this issue seriously. It is not acceptable under USA Hockey’s Bylaws – Policies on Physical and Sexual Abuse – for members to be observing the opposite gender while they dress or undress. Members and volunteers who violate USA Hockey’s  policies, or who violate the privacy rights of others, could be subject to appropriate discipline.

18. Electronic Communications Policy
Electronic communications are often used to bully, threaten or harass other participants
Increases the possibility for improprieties and misunderstandings and also provides potential offenders with unsupervised and potentially inappropriate access to participants.
Communication should only be done through association website or .

19. Travel Policy
Minor players are most vulnerable to abuse or misconduct during travel
Adherence to travel policies helps reduce opportunities for misconduct
Local travel should be the responsibility of the parents, not team
Team should provide adequate supervision/chaperones
Drivers should have driving records checked
Coaches/volunteers should avoid driving alone with an unrelated minor
Coaches should never share a hotel room with an unrelated minor
Hotel rooms should be monitored/checked regularly by screened adults
There should be cooperation with family regarding telephone calls, family in same hotel, distribution of travel itineraries, etc.
No coach or chaperone shall be under influence of alcohol/drugs while performing their duties

20. All adults in billet home must be screened
Billeting Policy
Primarily exists at Junior and Tier I Midget level
All adults in billet home must be screened
Program should have published rules and regulations for the billeting arrangement – agreed to by parents, billets and player
Team as well as host family rules/curfews shall apply
Team/Program should have a billet coordinator

21. Education and Awareness Training
Awareness training available to all at no cost
Training produced by the United States Olympic Committee
A membership number is required, but those not registered with USA Hockey may do so at no cost by registering as a manager/volunteer
SafeSport Policy requires training for those that:
Have regular, routine or frequent access to or supervision over youth participants
Are responsible for enforcing child abuse and misconduct policies
Are in managerial or supervisory roles
Are employees or volunteers
At least one person from each program (Board of Director) must also complete training by 10/1
All Coaches coaching all levels of hockey in NH must complete training by 10/1 including Learn-to-Skate/Learn-to-Play/House/Disabled/Juniors/Girls/Bantam through Intro-Mite
Affiliate is responsible for confirming and certifying compliance
SafeSport online training must be completed by all, must use USAH confirmation # to register. Once completed must submit completion of online training to Association Coordinator and submit updated list to NH SafeSport Coordinator.
To access the training click on the link

22. Policies should be disseminated from top down
Train the Trainer
Policies should be disseminated from top down
Level 1
Train Organizations / Safe Sport Coordinator
(State rep will train the Organization Rep)
Level 2
Train Coaches/Managers
(Organization Rep will train Coaches/Managers)
Level 3
Train Parents
(Manager will train the parents)

23. Screening of Staff and Volunteers
When we allow a coach to hold a position, we are putting our stamp on them that they are OK.
While screening only catches offenders that have a criminal record, a comprehensive screening program demonstrates the program’s priorities
Potential offenders will look for places where they will not be caught
42% of red flags showed criminal activity in another state
Screening is required for those that:
Have regular, routine or frequent access to or supervision over youth participants
Are responsible for enforcing child abuse and misconduct policies
Are in managerial or supervisory roles
Are employees or volunteers

24. Screening Requirements MANDATORY
Affiliate manages the screening process within their Affiliate, and must submit such process each year to USA Hockey
Member programs (e.g., local programs) must comply in
Screening must be completed prior to person serving in that role
Screens are valid for two (2) years
USA Hockey includes minimum criteria that must be searched, as well as additional criteria that could result in ineligibility
Screening company must perform a “national” screen
Must include identity verification process
Affiliates must report any volunteers that have been denied eligibility based on the person not consenting to be screened or failing a screen
Affiliate is responsible for confirming and certifying compliance
NHAHA already in compliance just make sure organization is in compliance
All Coaches and Volunteers must sign NHAHA SafeSport Code of Conduct

25. NEW HAMPSHIRE AMATUER HOCKEY ASSOCIATION PARTICIPANT
SAFESPORT CODE OF CONDUCT
NAME: ___________________________________________
To be read and signed by you as a member of
TEAM:____________________________________________
Participating in USA Hockey for the SEASON:_____________
1. I will comply with USAH SafeSport policies.
2. I will comply with the No Use of Cell Phones in Locker Room policy.
3. I will complete all SafeSport training requirements by USA Hockey.
4. I will complete screening and background check program as required.
5. I will report any concerns as outlined in the NHAHA and USAH SafeSport policies.
Sign: ________________________________ Date:___________

26. Reporting Concerns of Abuse
Reports to USA Hockey may be made by:
clicking on the “Report to USA Hockey” link on the USA Hockey SafeSport Program webpage
ing to or
(3) calling
Reports should also be made to NH SafeSport Coordinator
Kim Burgess

27. NH SAFESPORT
INCIDENT REPORT
Name of Participant:
Date of Birth:
Name of Parent/Guardian (if a minor):
Address: ______________________________________________
City: _______________________________State: ­­­­­______
Contact phone number:
Local Program/Club Name:
Address:
Contact(s) & Phone #(s)
Date of Incident:___________
Location: __________________
Game, Practice, Other:
Age Category:
Team:
Coach and Phone #:
Description of Incident:­
Report Filed By:
Phone #:
Date of report:
Address:
Send or report to NH SafeSport Coordinator – Kim

28. What should be reported?
All cases involving suspicions or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse must be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities
USA Hockey and its programs should not investigate or try to judge the credibility of an allegation of suspected child physical or sexual abuse as a condition of reporting to the authorities

29. Mandatory Reporters
Some people in our organizations may be mandatory reporters
Reporting Abuse in NH:

30. Responsible Reporting
Employees / Volunteers
All must and can report confidentially and anonymously
All subject to suspension or termination
All provided whistleblower protection
Malicious, frivolous or bad faith reports are grounds for disciplinary action and/or civil or criminal action

31. Responding to Reports of Abuse SafeSport does not create a new disciplinary program or system
Follow USA Hockey Bylaw 10
Summary Suspensions
Hearings
Notifications
When in doubt about the process, ask…
“In all cases, the disciplinary procedures and actions of USA Hockey and its Affiliates and local programs shall be proportionate, reasonable and applied fairly and equally.”

32. Monitoring and Supervision
USA Hockey
Shall monitor Affiliate’s compliance, assist Affiliate’s with investigations and provide guidance, shall enforce policies with national level staff and volunteers, and shall maintain SafeSport Task Force
Affiliate
Affiliate SafeSport Coordinator shall monitor compliance by local programs -- shall monitor reports, investigations and disciplinary actions within Affiliate. SafeSport Coordinator shall certify Affiliate’s compliance (to their knowledge) to USA Hockey.
Organization
Must monitor program personnel so that they are enforcing program policies, and so that all volunteers are screened and have received proper training prior to serving.
Coaches
For his/her team, the coach is primarily responsible for monitoring so that locker room, travel, social media, electronic communications and behavioral policies are being followed -- these duties may be delegated .

33. Samples of Complaints
Bullying complaints… player to player… some significant, some less significant.
Hazing… locker boxing
Whistleblower concerns and allegations or threats to dissuade reporting
Cell phones/pictures taken in locker room
Emotional abuse by coaches
Non-hockey related physical abuse (arrests)
On-ice game incidents (rough play, screaming coach, etc.)

34. Example of Response to Significant Matter
Notice to USA Hockey of an arrest of a coach/ owner in junior program for online solicitation
Immediate discussion at Executive Committee
Immediate suspension
Discussions with police and prosecutors re extent of allegations
Contact with all players and parents
USAH team went to Massachusetts to meet with players, parents, new ownership
Assistance league with acquiring new ownership, coaches, etc. for team to continue

35. Casey Jorgensen
USA Hockey General Counsel
Joyce Kulpinski
USA Hockey SafeSport and Legal Administrator