INTRODUCTION

U.S. Figure Skating strives to provide a safe environment for its members and to protect the opportunity of its members to participate in the sport in an atmosphere that is free of harassment and abusive practices. The association will not tolerate or condone any form of harassment or abuse of any of its members including athletes, coaches, officials, directors, employees, parents, and volunteers or any other persons while they are participating in or preparing for a figure skating activity or event conducted under the auspices of U.S. Figure Skating.

There are many positive reasons to participate in figure skating, but like all sports, it can also be a high-risk environment for misconduct: emotional, physical, sexual, bullying, harassment and hazing. All forms of misconduct are unacceptable and in direct conflict with U.S. Figure Skating values and ideals.

Misconduct may damage an athlete’s psychological well-being. Athletes who have been mistreated experience social embarrassment, emotional turmoil, psychological scars, and loss of self-esteem, misconduct also may have a negative impact on family, friends and the sport. Misconduct often hurts an athlete’s competitive performance and may cause him or her to drop out of sport entirely.

What is SafeSport?

SafeSport is the Olympic community’s initiative to recognize, reduce and respond to misconduct in sport.

The six primary types of misconduct are:

• Bullying • Harassment • Hazing • Emotional Misconduct • Physical Misconduct, and • Sexual Misconduct, including Child Sexual Abuse

Why SafeSport?

Sports provides athletes with an opportunity to perform – on and off the field. Unfortunately, sport can also be a highrisk environment for misconduct and abuse. For example, studies indicate that as many as 1 in 8 athletes will be sexually abused within their sport. Misconduct is a critical issue in sport, and one which we all need a game plan to prevent.

Who is affected by SafeSport?

We all play a role in reducing misconduct and abuse in sport. SafeSport provides resources for all members of the sport community – organizations, coaches, parents and athletes – to identify misconduct, implement ways to reduce it and enact plans to respond to it.

For more information: