Have more questions or need help? Contact our Process Navigators for answers, support, and resources.
Exploring
the response and resolution process
When someone submits a report of abuse or misconduct to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, the Response and Resolution process begins. While complex, the process is designed to be fair and thorough. It may take time. So, whether you are involved in an investigation, supporting a loved one, or are an interested member of the sport community, we invite you to use this interactive tool to learn about the process.
Do we have jurisdiction?
Jurisdiction describes who has the authority to investigate and respond. We have jurisdiction if:
The SafeSport Code 
The SafeSport Code applies to all Participants in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. prohibits the reported misconduct
AND
The Respondent (a person reported to have caused harm) is a member or Participant in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement ("the Movement")
Who will investigate?
The Center handles all allegations of sexual misconduct and criminal child abuse. As mandatory reporters, we must report all allegations of child abuse, including sexual abuse, to law enforcement. The National Governing Body (NGB) handles most physical and emotional abuse allegations.
We may send the information to law enforcement or other appropriate parties.
What happens when we investigate?
We assign an Intake Coordinator. They reach out to the Claimant (a person reported to have experienced harm) and gather basic information about the case. If our information suggests the Respondent may pose a risk, we may set Temporary Measures (TMs) to limit their participation in sport. For example, we may alter their training schedule. Then we decide how the case will proceed. There are several options. Select each option to learn about it.We also have Process Navigators who are not involved in investigations. They can offer support to parties in the process by answering questions about the process and helping them connect with mental health, legal, and other resources. Contact our Process Navigators.
We refer most emotional and physical misconduct cases to the Respondent's NGB for resolution. They may conduct their own investigation. Every NGB has their own policies and procedures. NGBs and their affiliated organizations always have the right to make their own safety plans and membership and employment decisions.
What is an informal resolution?
We may offer these to Respondents who agree to take responsibility for their actions and to any consequences we may set. The decision is final and the case does not require a formal investigation. Respondents cannot appeal an Informal Resolution.
What is a conditional resolution?
We may offer these to Respondents who were under 13 when the misconduct occurred or an Adult with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability. Respondents agree to any safety conditions or educational requirements we set, but they are not admitting to misconduct.
What is an alternative resolution?
We may offer these to Respondents who were between ages 13-17 when the misconduct occurred or an Adult with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability. Respondents acknowledge their behavior may have violated the Code, but this does not mean a Code violation was found. We may set safety conditions or educational requirements.
What are Holds and Closures?
This means the investigation is not moving forward at this time. We can re-open the case if the situation changes or we get more evidence. Select each to learn about it.
How do we arrive at a formal resolution?
We assign a trained Investigator. Participants may have an Advisor and/or Support Person present throughout the process, including any time they speak with Center staff. They conduct interviews, gather evidence, and compile it into the Opportunity to Review and Respond document. After the investigation is complete, Respondents and Claimants have 14 days to review the document and submit any additional information.
What is a jurisdictional hold?
If the Respondent is not currently a member or Participant in the Movement but was in the past, we may issue a jurisdictional hold. Since our investigations determine if someone should be restricted from participation in the Movement, we do not investigate those who are not currently part of the Movement. We hold the case until the Respondent rejoins the Movement.
What is an administrative hold?
The Center is unable to move forward because we do not have enough information to continue investigating or the Claimant cannot be identified. For example, we may stop because the Claimant doesn’t want to participate and there isn’t enough evidence to move forward without them.
What is an administrative closure?
The Center may not investigate for multiple reasons, such as the reported misconduct does not violate the SafeSport Code or the Respondent is deceased. We may also resolve some low severity allegations by having an educational conversation and issuing a letter of admonishment (for adults) or concern (for minors) to the Respondent.
What is in the Investigation Report/Notice of Decision?
We notify the Respondent and Claimant(s) of our investigation’s outcome. We include any additional evidence provided in response to the Opportunity to Review and Respond. If we find a violation of the SafeSport Code, we assign a sanction (or consequence). In order to find a Code violation, we must have a "preponderance of the evidence." In other words, we must be 50.1% certain the alleged misconduct occurred. The Respondent may accept the IR/NOD or request Arbitration.
We will also share the IR/NOD with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the NGB, but not the evidence. Claimants’ names are not included in any document sent to NGBs or the USOPC, but their initials may be (e.g., if there is a No Contact Directive). If Claimants aren’t sure whether or not their initials have been shared, they can contact their Investigator or our Process Navigators for more information.
What happens after the decision is final?
The case is resolved. If the Code was violated, the resolution may include sanctions (consequences) such as formal warnings, apology letters, SafeSport education, probation, suspension, and lifetime bans from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. Select each party to learn about what Respondents and Claimants should know.
What is arbitration?
The Respondent and the Center can present evidence to an independent arbitrator. The arbitrator issues a final decision about whether there was a violation of the SafeSport Code and/or what sanctions are imposed.
What adult respondents should know
In accordance with federal law, the Center publicly posts sanctions that limit an Adult Respondent's ability to participate in the Movement, such as a suspension or ineligibility. You can find those on our Centralized Disciplinary Database (CDD). 
The CDD is not always final. People can be added or removed from the database. Get tips and resources for searching the CDD. The SafeSport Code prohibits Retaliation against someone for reporting a SafeSport concern and participating in a SafeSport investigation.
Respondents may speak freely about the allegations, the investigation, and the outcome. We ask that you do so accurately and carefully. Respondents may not share confidential documentation, including the IR/NOD or Arbitration Decision, if any.
What minor respondents should know
Sanctions for Minor Respondents are not posted publicly. The SafeSport Code prohibits Retaliation against someone for reporting a SafeSport concern and participating in a SafeSport investigation.
Respondents may speak freely about the allegations, the investigation, and the outcome. We ask that you do so accurately and carefully. Respondents may not share confidential documentation, including the IR/NOD or Arbitration Decision, if any.
What claimants should know
The SafeSport Code prohibits Retaliation against someone for reporting a SafeSport concern and participating in a SafeSport investigation. Your club can make employment/rostering decisions, and your NGB can make membership decisions as they see fit.
Claimants may speak freely about the allegations, the investigation, and the outcome. We ask that you do so accurately and carefully. Claimants may not share confidential documentation, including the IR/NOD or Arbitration Decision, if any.
What happens after the decision is final?
The case is resolved. If the Code was violated, the resolution may include sanctions (consequences) such as formal warnings, apology letters, SafeSport education, probation, suspension, and lifetime bans from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. Select each party to learn about what Respondents and Claimants should know.
What adult respondents should know
In accordance with federal law, the Center publicly posts sanctions that limit an Adult Respondent's ability to participate in the Movement, such as a suspension or ineligibility. You can find those on our Centralized Disciplinary Database (CDD). The CDD is not always final. People can be added or removed from the database. Get tips and resources for searching the CDD. The SafeSport Code prohibits Retaliation against someone for reporting a SafeSport concern and participating in a SafeSport investigation.
Respondents may speak freely about the allegations, the investigation, and the outcome. We ask that you do so accurately and carefully. Respondents may not share confidential documentation, including the IR/NOD or Arbitration Decision, if any.
What minor respondents should know
Sanctions for Minor Respondents are not posted publicly. The SafeSport Code prohibits Retaliation against someone for reporting a SafeSport concern and participating in a SafeSport investigation.
Respondents may speak freely about the allegations, the investigation, and the outcome. We ask that you do so accurately and carefully. Respondents may not share confidential documentation, including the IR/NOD or Arbitration Decision, if any.
What claimants should know
The SafeSport Code prohibits Retaliation against someone for reporting a SafeSport concern and participating in a SafeSport investigation. Your club can make employment/rostering decisions, and your NGB can make membership decisions as they see fit.
Claimants may speak freely about the allegations, the investigation, and the outcome. We ask that you do so accurately and carefully. Claimants may not share confidential documentation, including the IR/NOD or Arbitration Decision, if any.