Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 was signed into law on February 14, 2018 and became effective immediately.

Among the requirements, the bill amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to extend the duty to report suspected child abuse, including sexual abuse, within 24 hours to all adults who are authorized to interact with minor or amateur athletes (Covered Individuals). Any individual who fails to report suspected child abuse is subject to criminal penalties including fines and up to one (1) year in jail. 

Each Covered Individual must successfully complete the US Olympic Committee SafeSport Training every two (2) years and submit a copy of their Certificate of Completion to their member organization.

Please click here for additional information.

•        US Soccer Email Notice
•        SafeSport Fact Sheet
•        Click here to report a SafeSport Concern

Examples Documents For Organizations To Use

• Example MAAPP Document For Organizations 
• Example Prohibited Conduct Policy Document

2022 Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy

U.S. Soccer’s 2022 MAAPP policy, approved by the Center for SafeSport, is contained in the Safe Soccer Framework and can be found online here:  www.safesoccer.com.  U.S. Soccer’s Policy 212-3, which establishes prohibited conduct policy and MAAPP requirements for amateur organization members, is on pp. 46-49 of the Safe Soccer Framework.  Finally, model prevention policies to assist organization members in satisfying the Center’s 2022 MAAPP requirements are contained in Appendix A of the Safe Soccer Framework.

Reporting

Any allegation of child abuse must be reported to the Center for SafeSport, local law enforcement, and/or child and family services, depending upon your state.  Any allegation of sexual misconduct, regardless of the age of the parties involved, must also be reported to the Center.  Reports can be made to the Center for SafeSport at 833-587-7233 or online here:  https://safesport.i-sight.com/portal.  

Policy 212-3 requires all amateur organizations to have procedures for reporting violations of their prohibited conduct policies, including emotional misconduct, physical misconduct, or violations of the MAAPP. 

Allegations of misconduct, including violations of the MAAPP, may also be reported to U.S. Soccer at 312-528-7004, or online here: https://ussoccer.i-sight.com/portal.  Additional information about how and where to report a concern can be found on www.safesoccer.com.  

Please feel free to contact Alison Kocoras at akocoras@ussoccer.org with any questions about the MAAPP or reporting requirements.