US Equestrian Safe Sport Requirements
GR1303 Safe Sport Requirements
Consistent with the mission statement of the Federation, the welfare of equestrian participants, especially minors, is of paramount concern. When any member — athlete, participant, trainer, coach, organizer, official, volunteer, or staff member — is subjected to or engages in abuse or misconduct, it undermines the mission of the Federation and is inconsistent with the best interests of equestrian sport and of the athletes the Federation serves. The Safe Sport Policy and U.S. Center for Safe Sport’s Code have been created to protect all athletes from misconduct they may experience within sport. The education and training of all participants in equestrian sport is crucial to the protection of athletes, reporting of misconduct, and eradication of abuse in our sport.
The U.S. Center for SafeSport (Center) is the first and only national organization of its kind focused on ending all forms of abuse in sport. As an independent non-profit headquartered in Denver, CO, the Center provides consultation to sport entities on prevention techniques and policies, while developing best practices and educational programs focused on promoting athlete wellbeing and putting an end to abuse in sports. The Center also provides a safe, professional, and confidential place for individuals to report sexual abuse.
The Federation Safe Sport Policy defines a “Federation Participant” as any Federation member, or non-member, who participates in or attends a Federation Licensed Competition or sanctioned event. The Federation’s Safe Sport Policy can be found at www.usef.org and the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code can be found at www.safesport.org.
a. Every Federation member and Federation Participant shall abide by the Federation’s Safe Sport Policy and the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code, which can be found at www.usef.org and www.safesport.org respectively.
b. In order to comply with S. 534, the Protecting Young Victim’s from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017, the Federation Safe Sport Policy, and the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code, every Federation adult member and Federation adult Participant, with the exception of the victim, shall report suspected sexual misconduct, including sexual abuse, and suspected child abuse, within 24 hours to the appropriate authorities and to the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
c. Beginning January 1, 2019, every Federation adult member (18 years of age and over) with a “Competing Membership” shall complete Federation-approved Safe Sport Training in accordance with the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s Education & Training Policies.