REPORTING OBLIGATIONS AND RESOURCES

Please report concerns:

• To local law enforcement or child protective services, if suspected child abuse. (See “Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse to Law Enforcement” section below.)
   
• To US Club Soccer. (See “US Club Soccer Participant Safety/Risk Management Report a Concern Form” section below.)
   
• To the U.S. Center for SafeSport, if abuse or misconduct.
   
• To U.S. Soccer.
   
• Pursuant to any state or local law requirements an individual may have in a particular jurisdiction. The Child Welfare Information Gateway State Statutes Search is a useful reference.

MANDATORY REPORTING OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT

Pursuant to the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 (the “SafeSport Act”), which amended the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990, all mandatory reporters are required to report suspected child abuse, including sexual abuse, within 24 hours to the local law enforcement agency or local child protective services agency that has jurisdiction to investigate reports of child abuse or to protect child abuse victims, or to the FBI. This requirement applies to, among others, all Participants as described in US Club Soccer Policy 13.01.

The reporting obligation is triggered when a mandatory reporter becomes aware of “facts that give reason to suspect” a child has suffered an incident of child abuse.

• Mandatory reporter includes any “adult who is authorized, by a national governing body, a member of a national governing body, or an amateur sports organization that participates in interstate or international amateur athletic competition, to interact with a minor or amateur athlete at an amateur sports organization facility or at any event sanctioned by a national governing body, a member of a national governing body, or such an amateur sports organization.”
   
• Child abuse includes physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, or negligent treatment of a child.
   
• Sexual abuse is defined to include the employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of a child to engage in, or assist another person to engage in, sexually explicit conduct or the rape, molestation, prostitution, or other form of sexual exploitation of children or incest with children.
   
• Mental injury means harm to a child’s psychological or intellectual functioning which may be exhibited by severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal or outward aggressive behavior, or a combination of those behaviors, which may be demonstrated by a change in behavior, emotional response or cognition.

US CLUB SOCCER PARTICIPANT SAFETY/RISK MANAGEMENT REPORT A CONCERN FORM

Pursuant to US Club Soccer Policy 13.03(b), beyond the obligations described above and in US Club Soccer Policy 13.03(a), Adult Participants also have an affirmative duty to report suspected abuse or other misconduct to US Club Soccer, and as may be applicable, to the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

This includes self-reporting or reporting regarding another individual or club/organization. Incidents or allegations which must be reported include, but are not limited to: arrests for a felony or other crime of physical misconduct; offenses against a child; sexual misconduct; violations of US Club Soccer’s Participant Safety/Risk Management Policies, the SafeSport Code or the MAAPP; or any other act or pattern of behavior which may have or in the future put Participants at risk. Members are encouraged to err on the side of reporting, and allow US Club Soccer to ascertain whether a disqualification from participation or other action is warranted.

A report made via this form does not satisfy one’s obligation to report to law enforcement or other appropriate authorities consistent with the section above, US Club Soccer Policy 13.03(a), and section 226 of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C. § 20341)/federal law.

CLICK HERE TO REPORT A CONCERN