“We cannot make the mistake of thinking that misconduct won’t happen in USA Volleyball!” 2A...

“We cannot make the mistake of thinking that misconduct

won’t happen in USA Volleyball!”

2A – USAV/USOC SafeSport

Slide #38Manual Page 2A-1

2A – USAV/USOC SafeSport: An Introduction

6 to 13% of athletes experience some form of sexual abuse or assault within their sports by the age of 18.

That’s as many as 1 out of every 8 athletes!

Numbers may be even greater for elite athletes

Slide #39

USA Volleyball strives to be community of professionals & role models

We count on professionalism to keep athletes safe & competition healthy

We must educate all involved to reduce chances for misconduct

The Stats!

The Goals!

Manual A-2

Elements of the Program: Policies on Misconduct:

Bullying Harassment Hazing Sexual, Physical & Emotional Misconduct

Awareness, Education and Training: IMPACT & CAP Courses USOC’s SafeSport on-line course (no cost) Age-specific materials for athletes USAV SafeSport education & training materials

for Clubs/Parents Policies on Travel, Social Media & Mobile/Electronic Communications

Screening of Staff and Volunteers Reporting Concerns of abuse Monitoring and Supervision Enforcement of Policies & Penalties Slide #40

2A – USAV/USOC SafeSport

Manual Page 2A-2

Repeated Pattern of committing or willfully tolerating physical or non-physical behaviors intended to cause fear, humiliation, or physical harm

Slide #41

2A – USAV/USOC SafeSport: Bullying

Bullying Defined:

Can be Verbally, Socially, Physically and in Cyberspace, (Social Media)

Misuse of Power

Harms targeted athletes, plus team morale and performance

Bullies target every kind of athlete

Manual Page 2A-2 & 3

Unwanted, offensive & intrusive behaviors linked to Discrimination

Affects on athletes’ performance: Loss of focus Play/perform tentatively

Slide #42

2A – USAV/USOC SafeSport: Harassment

Athletes rarely report due to fear of: Retaliation Being viewed as a tattletale Being further ostracized

Harassment Defined:

Manual Page 2A- 3 & 4

2A – USAV/USOC SafeSport: Bullying & Harassment

Program environment conducive to Team Building

Climate of Trust – talk with athletes

Make known that such actions will not Be tolerated!

Educate athletes – detrimental to team success

“Culture of Disclosure” so athletes are Safe in Disclosing information

Encourage Peers to Step In

Keep Antennae Up - pay attention and ask questions

Coaches Set the Stage for how athletes treat each other… What can a coach do?!

Manual Page 2A- 3 & 4 Slide #43

Coercing, requiring or willfully tolerating Humiliating, Unwelcome or Dangerous Activity as Condition for Joining Team.

Slide #44

2A – USAV/USOC SafeSport: Hazing

Hazing Defined:

80% of college athletes have reported witnessing or experiencing Hazing

Unlike bullying/harassment, hazing Attempts to INCLUDE athletes

Widespread “Traditions” or “Rites of Passage” may actually Damage Team/Program Cohesion

“Seniority” is NOT “Hazing”

Manual Page 2A - 4

Educate players and parents about dangers Provide examples

Send a clear message of a Zero-Tolerance Policy Communicate it clearly & often Written and Verbally

Implement Strict Consequences and enforce them 100% of the time

Slide #45

2A – USAV/USOC SafeSport: Hazing

Coaches Set the Stage for how athletes treat each other… What can a coach do?!

Manual Page 2A - 4

Behaviors resulting in, have potential to, or threaten to cause physical harm Does NOT always include physical contact Non-contact may be more difficult to recognize

Slide #46

Physical Misconduct Defined:

Remember - Athlete safety FIRST! Environment Positioning Implements/Equipment Appropriate medical services

for rehab & healthcare

2A – USAV/USOC SafeSport: Physical Misconduct

Manual Page 2A – 4 & 5

All are examples of Physical Misconduct: Contact causing intentional harm

Denying adequate hydration, nutrition or sleep

Overtraining athletes

Encouraging or permitting athlete to return to play TOO SOON after an injury/concussion

Not providing safe equipment or safe playing environment

Failing to provide appropriate medical services

Slide #47

Recognizing Physical Misconduct

KNOW your athletes … and the line between pushing & motivating to achieve more … and causing them physical harm!

2A – USAV/USOC SafeSport: Physical Misconduct


Intentional conduct which harms Athlete’s spirit &/or self-worth via repeated rejection, threats, harassment, terrorizing, isolating, or belittling.

Sustained, repeated pattern of non-contact behavior has potential to cause emotional or psychological harm

NOT a substitute for state’s legal definition of “Emotional Abuse”

Misguided attempt to motivate or punish for performance, or inability of coach to control emotions Most reported form of misconduct Increases as athletes progress up competitive Ladder 75% of elite athletes have reported they’ve been

emotionally abused during athletic careersSlide #48

2A – USAV/USOC SafeSport: Emotional Misconduct

Emotional Misconduct Defined:

Manual Page 2A – 5

Win-at-all-Costs approach

Understand teaching, motivating, and disciplining Supportive coach-athlete relationships

Related to athletic success

Berating/degrading/manipulating athletes is a misuse of authority & ego driven

Ignoring or excluding athlete from practice/matches Breaks down critical coach-athlete relationship

Emotional misconduct can cause athletes to drop out of sport

Slide #49

Coaches, Beware!



Slide #50

Prevent Emotional Misconduct: Keep ego in check Build UP athletes… Focus on positive coaching techniques Apologize if you accidentally cross the line

Emotional misconduct often connected to other forms of abuse

Emotional abuse makes it easier to go on to physical or sexual abuse by making unrealistic promises, praising then degrading, and isolating from peers



Predators are subtle and cunning in approach to victims.

Use combination of attention, affection, and gifts.

Prolonged & purposeful Tactics allow predators to avoid detection & almost guarantee athlete compliance

Vitally important to recognize “grooming” techniques so they can be interrupted and stopped immediately.

Slide #51

2A – USAV/USOC SafeSport: Predator Grooming Behavior

Six identified Stages of Grooming …

Predator Grooming Behavior:


2. Gaining trust: often, trust comes automatically because “coach” is…

Offenders Identify Vulnerable Victims

Although ANY Athlete can be Preyed Upon by a Kind and Affectionate Adult in a Position of Trust or Authority

Slide #52


1. Targeting a victim:

In a position of mentorship

Considered a role model


Giving extra attention

Positive reinforcement Starting position or playing Time Scholarship or introduction to recruiters Learning what the athlete values

Slide #53


3. Recognizing & fulfilling needs:

4. Isolating the Victim: “Special relationship” Secret sharing Alone time Confusion about relationship


Breaks down psychological/physical Barriers “Accidental” nudity Use of pornography/touching to get victim

desensitized and confused Sets stage for sexual Assault Secrecy and blame used to control victim

Secrecy and concealment phase Better the predator is in breaking down barriers,

the easier it will be to maintain control and get victim to keep the secret

Abuse may even occur in public, in presence of others

Slide #54

5. Sexualizing the Relationship:

6. Maintaining Control:



Many offenders progress to sexually abusing victims or committing Inappropriate acts in front of other witnesses!

This does Two Things: Creates a defense for the offender… Sends mixed message to the victim

Slide #55


Abuse in Public:

RED FLAGS! Expensive gifts or money? Separation of athlete from teammates

or parents? Finds ways to be alone with the athlete?


1. Interrupt or disrupt the conduct

2. Share your concerns

3. Report to your designated administrator

4. If you suspect child abuse, report to the proper law enforcement authorities

2A – USAV/USOC SafeSport: Responding and Reporting

Four Steps for Responding:

When or How should I make a report?! Don’t attempt to evaluate validity!

USAV requires reporting Sexual Misconduct.

To report abuse call 1-855-306-7775 or submit an online Report Abuse Form.

Manual Page 2A – 7 & 8 Slide #56

https://www.volleyballreftraining.com/SafeSport/safesport_report_abuse_form.html

https://www.volleyballreftraining.com/SafeSport/safesport_report_abuse_form.html

Usually individuals in frequent contact with children Legal reporting responsibilities

vary by state

Some states Include coaches

Many states require anyone who suspects child abuse to report

Failure to report may result in criminal charges

It’s not an easy situation to be in, but again, don’t evaluate validity before reporting!

Slide #57

Mandatory Reporters:



We ALL can/should report to Law Enforcement

Clubs/RVAs may require report of any suspicions, allegations, observations, knowledge of abuse/misconduct

Junior Personnel Code of Conduct REQUIRES adults affiliated with a Jr team to report unethical behavior/misconduct!

Child abuse suspicions/allegations should be reported to your Club, your RVA & proper law enforcement authorities…

Not your responsibility to investigate!

Know your state’s Laws! (State Statutes Search)

Recognize misconduct to maintain safe & fun sport environment

Slide #58

Some Final Thoughts on Responding . . .



https://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state/



Must be professional in nature For sole purpose of communicating

Information about team activities Must adhere to USAV Code of Conduct

regarding athlete protection Must NOT contain or relate to

ANY of the following: Drugs or alcohol Use Sexually-oriented language, conversation, activities, or

images Coach’s personal life, social activities, relationships,

family issues or personal problems

Slide #59

2A – USAV/USOC SafeSport: Social Media Professionalism

Electronic Communication


Transparent:

Accessible:

Professional:

clear, direct & free from hidden meanings, innuendo and Expectations

include another club/team adult in communications – it’s a matter of record!

high standards & integrity of word choice, tone, grammar and subject matter

Slide #60


TAP Test



Do NOT accept/request “Friend” requests

from/to your athletes on personal pages

No private messages/IM methods w/athletes

Have club Facebook page (or other social

site) where players & parents may join to

receive team & club activities updates

Set Your pages to “private” to prevent

athletes from accessing personal Info

Be smart! Social media is public forever!

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Blogs…

TAP Test guidelines… Limited only to communicating information related to

club/team activities Only between the hours of 7 AM & 10 PM, or alternate start &

end time as set by club/RVA policy

Texting

Manual Page 2A – 9 & 10 Slide #61

Slide #62

Final Thoughts on Social Media: Parents have right to request that children NOT be contacted via

any form of electronic communication w/ immediate compliance! If emailing athletes, parents or other coach/administrators

must also be copied. Coaches must refrain from making comments that could

be interpreted as slurs, are demeaning, or are derogatory, defamatory or inflammatory.

Avoid exaggeration, colorful language, copyrighted materials, legal conclusions/characterizations.

Think before posting! Will your effectiveness as a coach/mentor & teacher/professional be placed at risk?


Use good judgment – act responsibly/ethically Post meaningful & respectful comments, & honor differences Refrain from using social media to publicly discuss/criticize

others


Education & training is best protection athletes have against abuse.

USOC SafeSport.org website (& USAV’s SafeSport webpage) has many resources for: players, parents, coaches & clubs

Safety of all participants is of utmost importance to USAV (on and off-court).

Remain committed to creating safe & fun sports environments for youth.

Provide training, materials and resources for USAV Regions, clubs, coaches, parents and all athletes.

Zero tolerance policy for abuse & misconduct. Check the USA Volleyball Website for more information.

Also www.safesport.org And http://www.teamusa.org/stopabuse

Coaching using Professional Ethics as your guide – on to Chapter 3!

USOC & USAV SAFESPORT PROGRAMS

Slide #63

2A – USAV/USOC SafeSport: SafeSport Program Review


http://www.safesport.org/

https://www.volleyballreftraining.com/SafeSport/safesport_home.html

http://www.safesport.org/

http://www.teamusa.org/stopabuse

“We cannot make the mistake of thinking that misconduct won’t happen in USA Volleyball!” 2A...

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