| Nickname | SafeSport |
|---|---|
| Formation | March 2017 (7 years ago) |
| Type | 501(c)(3) organization |
| Purpose | Addressing sexual abuse of minors and amateur athletes in the U.S. in Olympic sports. |
| Location |
|
| Origins | Established under the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 |
Region served | United States |
| Services | Assess sexual abuse and sexual misconduct complaints; impose sanctions, up to lifetime bans; provide public central database of disciplinary cases |
Chief Executive Officer | Ju'Riese Colón |
| 12 independent board members | |
Budget (2023) | $21 million[1] |
| Funding | US Olympic & Paralympic Committee, national governing bodies, a federal grant, etc. |
Staff (2023) | 117[1] |
Volunteers (2020) | 3 |
| Website | uscenterforsafesport |
The United States Center for SafeSport is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization set up to reduce sexual abuse of minors and athletes in Olympic sports in the United States.[2][3][4]
Established in 2017 under the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act, SafeSport has exclusive jurisdiction to review allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct within U.S. Olympic or Paralympic organizations. The Center may also review and act upon other allegations, such as emotional abuse, bullying, and harassment.[5] It cannot indict or jail people accused of sexual misconduct, as it is neither a law enforcement agency nor a legal body of the U.S. judiciary; but it can impose sanctions up to a lifetime ban of a person from involvement in Olympic sports.[5] It can also forward its investigations to state and federal courts for due process[6] and collaborate with law enforcement on investigations.[7] It also maintains a public database of sanctioned people.[6][8]
As of October 2021, the Center had sanctioned 1,100 people. In May 2023, SafeSport reported that it was receiving 150 reports per week, or about 8,000 per year, and had an annual budget of $21 million and a staff of 117 people.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
usat-safesportwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Matthew J. Mitten, Timothy Davis, Rodney K. Smith, Kenneth L. Shropshire (2019). Sports Law and Regulation; Cases, Materials, and Problems, Wolters Kluwer.
- ^ Brenda G. Pitts, James J. Zhang (2020). Sport Business in the United States; Contemporary Perspectives, Taylor & Francis.
- ^ "The U.S. Center for SafeSport Opens". Team USA. Denver, Colorado: United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. March 24, 2017. Archived from the original on March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
"There is a critical need to address abuse in sports and we want to do everything we can to provide athletes with a positive, safe and secure environment," said U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) CEO Scott Blackmun. "Violence, abuse and misconduct in sport not only threatens athletes, but also undermines the fundamental values that sport is based on." "The launch of the U.S. Center for SafeSport is an essential step in protecting athletes from abuse," said Han Xiao, Chairman of the USOC's Athletes' Advisory Council. "We look forward to working together to create a safe environment for our youth and athletes."
- ^ a b Nadia Brown (2020). Me Too Political Science, Taylor & Francis.
- ^ a b Dan Murphy and Pete Madden (February 23, 2022). "U.S. Center for SafeSport, Olympic Movement's misconduct watchdog, struggles to shed 'paper tiger' reputation". ESPN.
- ^ Jacquelyn Abad (June 9, 2021). "SafeSport tip led to Oregon Olympic equestrian's arrest". KOIN 6 News.
- ^ Branch, John (September 25, 2018). "Sports Officials Are Making Lists of People Barred for Sexual Misconduct. Big Lists". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 1, 2019. Retrieved August 4, 2019.