Message from the CEO and Board Chair
Dear SafeSport Community,
When the U.S. Center for SafeSport was established in the wake of high-profile cases of abuse in Olympic sport, the need for independent oversight was clear. Today, seven years—and tens of thousands of reports later—the Center has become an essential resource to our nation’s athletes.
As a result of our work, a culture shift in sport is taking root. Athletes are rejecting the notion that sexual harassment is inevitable, coaches aren’t turning a blind eye to inappropriate behavior, and parents aren’t tolerating abusive practices. Together, we are establishing a culture where people are compelled to throw open the curtains on abuse rather than sweep it under the rug.
Whether we banned an abusive coach when criminal prosecutors declined the case, assisted law enforcement in bringing an abuser to justice, acted on allegations of abuse disclosed decades later, or sanctioned those in positions of power who failed to report abuse, the Center is bringing accountability to every level of sport.
Accountability is essential to culture change, but ensuring the sport community understands safety policies and red-flag behavior is equally important. The fact that reports have increased by more than 30% in 2023 shows that the Center’s efforts to educate the public about safe and inclusive sport environments are sinking in. We view the more than 24,000 reports received to date as evidence that people better understand what behavior is unacceptable and are speaking up when they know or even suspect that abuse or misconduct is happening. As we expand education and outreach, we only expect reports to increase exponentially just as they have since we opened our doors in 2017.
It is well known that meeting the growing demand has presented significant challenges, but the Center is committed to continuous improvement, and we have taken significant steps over the past year to better meet the needs of athletes we serve.
We spent much of 2023 seeking feedback from athletes and stakeholders in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement on how we can improve efficiency, information sharing, and trauma sensitivity throughout our process. The resulting improvements include a departmental restructure; clearly categorizing outcomes for case closures and holds; ensuring consistent communication with parties in our process; devoting a specialized team to minor Claimants; and assigning staff and resources to improve process navigation, trauma-sensitivity training, and data collection; as well as other process refinements.
These changes are yet another step in the Center’s ongoing evolution to adapt to the needs of the Movement. We will continue to listen and seek input as we find ways to improve how we show up for athletes at every level of sport.
From practice fields to podiums, from grassroots to gold medals, every athlete deserves to be safe, supported, and strengthened. That’s our commitment. That’s what drives us every day.
Sincerely,
Ju’Riese Colón
Chief Executive Officer
U.S. Center for SafeSport
April Holmes
Board Chair
U.S. Center for SafeSport
Paralympic Gold Medalist,
Track & Field
Ju’Riese Colón
Chief Executive Officer
U.S. Center for SafeSport
April Holmes
Board Chair
U.S. Center for SafeSport
Paralympic Gold Medalist
Track & Field
2023 Highlights
(as of 12/31/2023)
SafeSport’s policies should not be up for interpretation by any coach, parent, athlete, or team: They are absolute and non-negotiable. If all teams were in complete compliance with all of SafeSport’s preventative policies, there would be virtually no avenues for predatory adults to pursue minor athletes.
– Cameron Mason, Rock Climber
What you can do
Report Abuse
If you have experienced abuse or misconduct—or if you have reasonable suspicion of abuse or misconduct inflicted by someone in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement—you can make a report.
Report a ConcernLearn the Rules
The SafeSport Code and Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) are two key documents guiding our athlete safety efforts—they apply to everyone in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
Access ResourcesTrain Up
Visit our Training and Education page for courses and resources to help you champion athlete safety in your organization.
Visit TrainingReport Abuse
If you have experienced abuse or misconduct—or if you have reasonable suspicion of abuse or misconduct inflicted by someone in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement—you can make a report.
Report a ConcernLearn the Rules
The SafeSport Code and Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) are two key documents guiding our athlete safety efforts—they apply to everyone in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
Access ResourcesMake a Gift
Your tax-deductible gift helps us change the culture of sport together—for good.
Donate NowTrain Up
Visit our Training and Education page for courses and resources to help you champion athlete safety in your organization.
Visit TrainingMake a Gift
Your tax-deductible gift helps us change the culture of sport together—for good.
Donate NowCULTURE CHANGE TAKING ROOT
Athletes at all levels depend on those around them for guidance, encouragement, and support. From grassroots to gold medals, sport culture is shifting to better protect athletes thanks to the parents, mentors, coaches, and officials who foster safe and supportive pathways.