You’re Aware of Abuse or Misconduct – Now What? A
ll U.S. Figure Skating Members should be aware of the rules, policies, and laws that apply to them regarding reporting. You can visit www.usfigureskating.org/safesport to learn more about U.S. Figure Skating’s Athlete Protection Policies, the various forms of abuse and misconduct, and the rules and policies that apply to our members. In addition to these rules and policies, members should educate themselves on their state’s mandatory reporting laws by visiting www.childwelfare.gov. U.S. Figure Skating’s Rules require all adult members to report suspected child abuse and or sexual abuse/ misconduct to the U.S. Center for SafeSport and local law enforcement. In addition to this mandatory reporting rule, a member who willfully tolerates misconduct is in violation of U.S. Figure Skating’s SafeSport policies. Willful toleration is defined in U.S. Figure Skating’s policies as an athlete or participant observing or otherwise knowing of misconduct but taking no action to report it on behalf of the affected athlete or participant. If you’re ever unsure if something crosses the line of becoming abuse or misconduct, you can reach out to safesport@usfigureskating.org to talk through your concern. There are multiple ways a person may become aware of abuse or misconduct. All members are encouraged to watch the SafeSport reporting webinar located in U.S. Figure Skating’s Members Only portal. This webinar includes information from this article along with scenarios of misconduct and the appropriate route for responding to and reporting each.
Suspecting Abuse or Misconduct A person doesn’t need to have concrete evidence to report abuse or misconduct – U.S. Figure Skating’s Rules require all adult members to report suspected child abuse or sexual abuse/misconduct. Suspecting abuse means that a person may have witnessed or heard of concerning behaviors, but they don’t know all the facts that surround the incident. This suspicion alone is enough to file a report with U.S. Figure Skating’s SafeSport department or the U.S. Center for SafeSport. From there, U.S. Figure Skating or the U.S. Center for SafeSport will assess the claims to determine if further investigation is needed.
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Discovering Abuse or Misconduct There are multiple ways a person may discover abuse or misconduct, especially with the technology we all have easily accessible. A person could see a photograph or video portraying abuse or misconduct, or a person may witness the abuse or misconduct firsthand. In addition, a person can also discover abuse or misconduct if a third-party relays information they may have heard from others. In situations like this where the abuse or misconduct is discovered, the same mandatory reporting requirements would apply – even when a reporter may not have all of the information and when a reporter may doubt the validity of the allegation.
Disclosure of Abuse or Misconduct Another way to learn of abuse or misconduct is by disclosure. In situations like this, not only does a person need to determine if the abuse or misconduct triggers their mandatory reporting requirements, but they should also do their best to assess the person’s safety. If you suspect that a person is being abused and is at risk of further harm, contacting local law enforcement or your local child welfare office immediately will allow the appropriate authorities to assess the risk of harm and determine if immediate action needs to be taken to ensure the person is safe.
Responding to the Disclosure of Abuse or Misconduct It’s not uncommon for a person to react with denial when somebody discloses abuse or misconduct to them. Regardless of your perspective on what the person is telling you, it’s important that you listen, show respect, and take what they say seriously. During situations like this, remember that it’s not your responsibility to investigate or to give advice on the situation. During these difficult conversations, be sure to monitor your own emotions. How you react has the ability to cause a person to shut down or open up even further. Avoid responding to the person with shock, horror, or fear and ensure you speak slowly with a calm demeaner. Doing so will help set the tone for the conversation while making that person feel heard and supported. If you’re going to ask the person questions about their experiences, keep them focused on the information you
