safesport policy
Introduction and Use of SafeSport Policy
The New Haven Rowing Club is committed to creating and supporting an environment and a culture free from misconduct. The welfare of all individuals involved with our member organization is paramount. Behavior and actions that constitute misconduct will not be tolerated.
There are a lot of reasons to play sport—at any level. A life-long activity, people often play sport to have fun and spend time with friends. Sport also encourages a healthy lifestyle, builds self-confidence; athletes also do better off the field. They learn goal-setting, teamwork, and time management skills. Athletes are less likely to use cigarettes, drugs and alcohol; youth athletes have higher graduation rates and are more likely to attend college.
Unfortunately, sport can also be a high-risk environment for misconduct, including physical and sexual abuse. Here, we identify six primary types of misconduct:
Bullying
Harassment
Hazing
Emotional Misconduct
Physical Misconduct
Sexual Misconduct, including Child Sexual Abuse
Misconduct may damage an athlete’s psychological well-being; athletes who have been mistreated experience social embarrassment, emotional turmoil, psychological scars, loss of self-esteem and negative impacts on family, friends and the sport. Misconduct often hurts an athlete’s competitive performance and may cause them to drop out of sport entirely.
All forms of misconduct are intolerable and in direct conflict with the values of The New Haven Rowing Club.
In the event that one observes inappropriate behaviors (i.e. policy violations), suspected physical or sexual abuse, or misconduct, it is the personal responsibility of each individual to immediately report their observations to a supervisor or board member. Where possible and appropriate, everyone should be prepared to respond immediately to inappropriate or harmful behavior, potential risk situations and potential boundary violations by redirecting inappropriate behaviors to promote positive behaviors, confront inappropriate or harmful behaviors, and report behaviors when necessary.
This policy applies to The New Haven Rowing Club employees, individual members, Board members, volunteers, parent chaperones, and anyone in contact with athletes. Policy violations, misconduct and physical and sexual abuse must be reported consistent with the Reporting Policy as described herein. The New Haven Rowing Club does not investigate suspicions or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse or attempt to evaluate the credibility or validity of such allegations as a condition for reporting to appropriate law enforcement authorities and the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
As a member organization, The New Haven Rowing Club is in alignment with USRowing as the national governing body of rowing under the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”). The New Haven Rowing Club is grateful to USRowing and the USOPC for their contributions to the SafeSport initiative and dedication to promoting safe training environments in sport. This policy is based on the template provided by USRowing in complete support of the governing body’s policies and best practices.
The New Haven Rowing Club is committed to improving the development and safety of athletes and participants involved in rowing.
The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and SafeSport Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-126) took effect in February 2018 (“SafeSport Act”). The SafeSport Act designated the United States Center for SafeSport (the “Center”) as the official safe sport organization for all Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, and Para Pan American sports in the United States. In an effort to prevent the emotional, physical and sexual abuse of amateur athletes, the SafeSport Act requires national governing bodies and Paralympic sports organizations to implement both prevention training and prevention policies.
As a member organization of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”), USRowing, its employees, contractors, volunteers, officials, board members, committee members and other designees, members and organizational members (collectively, “Participants”) are required to comply with the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code of the U.S. and Paralympic Movement (the “Code”), including its reporting requirements, available here: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020-SafeSport-Code-04.01.20.pdf
The Code serves as benchmark by which the Center or USRowing evaluates whether a Code violation has occurred. For violations that fall within the Center’s jurisdiction, the Center will determine resolutions and sanctions in connection with the violation. USRowing will process Code violations that occur outside the Center’s jurisdiction pursuant to the procedures outlined in the sections below.
The Code outlines prohibited conduct relating to the following categories for all Participants (hereinafter defined):
Criminal Charges or Dispositions
Child Abuse
Bullying
Harassment
Hazing
Sexual Misconduct
Emotional Misconduct
Physical Misconduct
Aiding and Abetting
Misconduct Related to Reporting
Misconduct Related to the Center’s Process
Other Inappropriate Conduct
Violation of the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (“MAAPP”)
Participants in regular contact with Minor Athletes (hereinafter defined) must abide by USRowing’s MAAPP contained below.
Pursuant to the SafeSport Act as implemented by the Code, and USRowing’s Bylaws, the Center has exclusive jurisdiction over all issues involving Sexual Misconduct and Child Abuse (hereinafter defined). Such issues are to be reported directly to the Center and appropriate local authorities. Such reports to the Center should be made through the reporting form found here: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern/
While non-sexual misconduct issues may be reported directly to the Center, USRowing encourages initial reporting of such matters to The New Haven Rowing Club using the internal reporting processes. If, following review by the The New Haven Rowing Club, the issue remains unresolved or is not susceptible to resolution at the Member Organization level, it may be reported to USRowing using the USRowing reporting form found here: https://usrowing.org/sports/2018/4/13/18827_132107104230772015.aspx