The USA Gymnastics Safe Sport Policy is the foundation for rules, policies and responsibilities for athlete safety and well-being and the prevention of abuse. The policy encompasses the requirements of the “SafeSport Code for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements” and federal laws, including the “Protecting Young Victims and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017.” 

2021 USA Gymnastics Safe Sport Policy Documents And Educational Resources

USA Gymnastics mandates that all members follow state and federal laws governing reporting of child abuse. If you are 18 years of age or older and are subject to USA Gymnastics policy, you are required to report all instances of possible child abuse or neglect to law enforcement and state child services.

The United States Center for SafeSport

The U.S. Center for SafeSport was created by the United States Olympic Committee in March 2017 as a wholly independent body to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct in Olympic National Governing Bodies. The U.S. Center for SafeSport has exclusive jurisdiction over sexual misconduct allegations, which means USA Gymnastics and its members report any allegations of sexual misconduct they become aware of to the Center for investigation and resolution. More information on the U.S. Center for SafeSport is available throughout this website. 

Who To Contact:

Gymnastics Club
For issues with the below, contact your club.

• Gym cleanliness
• Equipment issues
• Financial disputes
• Scores
• Competitive progression concerns
• Employment disputes
• 
  

USA Gymnastics
For issues with the below, contact USA Gymnastics.

• Emotional misconduct
• Bullying
• Hazing
• Physical misconduct
• Retaliation related to safe sport
• Prevention Policy violations

Click here to make a report

 U.S. Center for SafeSport
For issues with the below, contact the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

• Sexual misconduct
• Sexual harassment
• Grooming
• Child abuse

Click here to make a report 

Local Authorities
All instances of the below must be reported to law enforcement:

• Child abuse
• Sexual abuse or criminal activities involving a minor

U.S. Center for SafeSport Policies and Procedures 

U.S. Center for SafeSport Code 

U.S. Center for SafeSport Helpline 

For questions related to USA Gymnastics Safe Sport Policy, please contact the USA Gymnastics Safe Sport Department at usagymsafesport@usagym.org.

Report here if you have experienced abuse or misconduct—or if you have reasonable suspicion of abuse or misconduct inflicted on, or by, someone in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. This link directs you to a secure form at safesport-i.sight.com/portal.

REPORT ABUSE OR MISCONDUCT

CALL 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233)

If you need support or assistance at any time, you can contact the 24-hour 

SafeSport Helpline at 866-200-0796.
If you are facing a life-threatening emergency, contact 911.

Specialists for the Helpline (operated by RAINN) can provide confidential, one-on-one live support by phone, chat, or mobile app.

The Center accepts all reports affecting the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement of:

• Sexual Misconduct, including without limitation child sexual abuse and any misconduct that is reasonably related to an underlying allegation of Sexual Misconduct
• Criminal Charges or Dispositions involving Child Abuse or Sexual Misconduct
• Misconduct Related to Reporting, where the underlying allegation involves Child Abuse or Sexual Misconduct;
• Aiding and Abetting, when it relates to the Center’s process
• Misconduct Related to the Center’s Process
• Other Inappropriate Conduct, as defined herein

The Center has exclusive jurisdiction to investigate and resolve reports affecting the Movement in the bulleted categories above.

The Center also accepts reports of emotional and physical misconduct (including bullying, hazing, stalking, and harassment) within the Movement. Reports of emotional and physical misconduct can also be made directly to your sport’s national governing body (NGB).

Report it to your local authorities, in addition to (and before) reporting it to the Center. If you are a mandatory reporter, you are required by law to do so: know your state’s specific criteria.

Anyone can make a report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport of abuse or misconduct involving one of 11+ million individuals in 50+ Olympic and Paralympic sports at national, regional, and local levels.

You don’t need to be an athlete to report abuse and misconduct—we take reports from coaches, parents, administrators, and all others who experience or know of relevant conduct. Nor do you need to have experienced it personally. If you know someone in an Olympic and Paralympic Movement sport whom you suspect may be experiencing abuse, report it here.

The Center responds to and resolves reports of abuse and misconduct alleged of individuals in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. This includes:

• Any member or employee of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)
• Any participant (defined in the SafeSport Code) of a national sport governing body (NGB) or local affiliated organization (LAO) under USOPC authority; this includes athletes, coaches, administrators, health and training professionals, and individuals in related categories

The Center does not have authority over non-Movement leagues (such as the NFL or NASCAR), associations (such as NCAA and AAU), or non-Olympic/Paralympic sports (such as cheer & dance). To report abuse involving non-Movement sports or organizations, contact a relevant liaison at that institution or local law enforcement.

If you’re unsure if the U.S. Center for SafeSport is the proper authority: Make the report to us, and we will advise appropriately. 

An abuse or misconduct report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport begins a process that includes assessment, investigation (if the report meets relevant criteria), issuance of finding, and determination of sanction if appropriate.

We respect that making a report can be an emotional process. The Center’s empathetic and accessible professionals handle reports with the attention and confidentiality they deserve.

Our Response & Resolution Process page addresses this in more detail.

• The Center is a neutral party in resolving cases, and we respect confidentiality for Claimants and Respondents (defined on this page)
• The Center’s objectivity and neutrality is reinforced by its status as an independent nonprofit, unaffiliated with the USOPC, NGBs, or other Olympic and Paralympic Movement entities.
• The Center employs a Resource & Process Advisor to answer questions for Claimants and Respondents, as well as third parties and witnesses. This advisor can also connect you with resources and support services online and in your local community. Reach the Resource & Process Advisor at resource.advisor@safesport.org or 720-531-9024.
• It is not possible to project timelines for resolving a report. We update Claimants and Respondents on status at key milestones, and we appreciate patience with a process that can have many variables. 

• 01. SafeSport Trained 

Understand the core concepts behind creating a safe and positive sport environment and learn how to identify, prevent and respond to issues of misconduct.  This training is for individuals who are NOT CURRENT MEMBERs of their National Governing Body. If you are a member of a NGB, please contact your NGB to access the core SafeSport training. 

• 02. SafeSport Training for Adult Athletes 

Training on making the sport environment safe and positive, designed for athletes over age 18 who do not have regular contact with or authority over minor athletes. Please note: if your National Governing Body requires you to complete the SafeSport Trained course, this course will not satisfy that requirement.

• 03. SafeSport for Preschoolers

The preschool course includes a fun cheer; emphasizes that sports should be an inclusive environment that prioritizes safety, respect, and fun over winning; and encourages starting an open conversation with children at an early age. This course will take approximately ten (10) minutes to complete.

• 03A. SafeSport for Preschoolers: Second Year Training

The preschool course includes a fun cheer; emphasizes that sports should be an inclusive environment that prioritizes safety, respect, and fun over winning; and encourages starting an open conversation with children at an early age. This course will take approximately ten (10) minutes to complete.
This course iteration is meant for those who wish to complete the preschool course again.

• 04. SafeSport for Grades K-2

The Grades K-2 course includes an animated video and game that focuses on having a positive attitude, keeping sport fun, and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right. The course concludes with resources for reporting abuse or misconduct. This course will take approximately ten (10) minutes to complete.

• 04A. SafeSport for Grades K-2: Second Year Training

The Grades K-2 course includes an animated video and game that focuses on having a positive attitude, keeping sport fun, and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right. The course concludes with resources for reporting abuse or misconduct. This course will take approximately ten (10) minutes to complete.
This course iteration is meant for those who wish to complete the Grades K-2 course again.

• 05. SafeSport for Grades 3-5

The Grades 3-5 course provides an interactive game to identify and speak up when behavior crosses the line, recognize the difference between discipline and abuse, stresses the importance of being a good teammate, and have a healthy sports environment focused on fun and safety. The course concludes with resources for reporting abuse or misconduct. This course will take approximately fifteen (15) minutes to complete.

• 05A. SafeSport for Grades 3-5: Second Year Training

The Grades 3-5 course provides an interactive game to identify and speak up when behavior crosses the line, recognize the difference between discipline and abuse, stresses the importance of being a good teammate, and have a healthy sports environment focused on fun and safety. The course concludes with resources for reporting abuse or misconduct. This course will take approximately fifteen (15) minutes to complete.
This course iteration is meant for those who wish to complete the Grades 3-5 course again.

• 06. SafeSport for Middle School Athletes

The middle school course focuses on bullying prevention, safe online behavior, responding to red flags and resources for reporting abuse or misconduct. This course will take approximately fifteen (15) minutes to complete.

• 06A. SafeSport for Middle School Athletes: Second Year Training

The middle school course focuses on bullying prevention, safe online behavior, responding to red flags and resources for reporting abuse or misconduct. This course will take approximately fifteen (15) minutes to complete.
This course iteration is meant for those who wish to complete the middle school course again. 

• 07. SafeSport for High School Athletes

The high school course focuses on bullying and hazing prevention, supporting friends who have experienced abuse or inappropriate conduct, and resources for reporting abuse or misconduct. This course will take approximately twenty (20) minutes to complete. Please note if your organization requires you to complete the SafeSport Trained course, this course will not satisfy that requirement. 

• 07A. SafeSport for High School Athletes: Second Year Training

The high school course focuses on bullying and hazing prevention, supporting friends who have experienced abuse or inappropriate conduct, and resources for reporting abuse or misconduct. This course will take approximately twenty (20) minutes to complete. 
This course iteration is meant for those who wish to complete the high school course again. Please note if your organization requires you to complete the SafeSport Trained course, this course will not satisfy that requirement.

• 08. Parent’s Guide to Misconduct in Sport

Designed for the parents of athletes of all ages, this course explains the issues of misconduct in sport and helps parents ensure their children have a positive and safe sport experience.

https://athletesafety.org/training/index