Recommended Policies to Prevent and Respond to Athlete Abuse

Develop a Clear Policy

A clear policy is a:

• Written policy that defines all forms of abuse.
• Articulated commitment to protecting every child in all areas of your organization.
• Policy endorsed by leadership and reviewed with input from athletes, parents/guardians, and staff.
  

A safeguarding policy is your organization’s promise to keep athletes safe. It outlines your expectations, procedures, and commitment to preventing abuse. Your policy should be clear, culturally relevant, and easy for everyone (athletes, parents/guardians, coaches, and volunteers) to understand and apply. Regular reviews and updates are essential to keeping your policy effective as your organization evolves.

Create Response Procedures

Creating response procedures include:

• Clear noticing of the reporting procedure and process
• Providing step-by-step guidance for handling abuse concerns.
• Clearing reporting channels (internal and external).
• Confidentiality protocols and support for reporters and survivors.
  
  When a concern arises, your organization must know exactly how to respond. Establish procedures that clarify who to report to, how to escalate concerns to authorities, and what support systems are in place for affected athletes and staff. Ensure these procedures are transparent, accessible to all, and practiced regularly through training and scenario planning.
  

Minimize Risks to Athletes

Minimizing risks means:

• Conducting regular risk assessments for activities, travel, and facilities.
• Implementing codes of conduct for staff and athletes.
• Ensuring safe recruitment and adequate supervision ratios.
• Conducting background checks for staff and coaches working with children, as well as practicing due diligence when hiring staff and volunteers.
  
  Preventative measures can make all the difference. Assess risks associated with your programs, locations, and interactions, including digital spaces. Codes of conduct should reflect expectations of respectful behavior, and staff should be trained to recognize vulnerabilities and the dynamics of abuse in sport. Screening and vetting everyone who works with athletes is a key practice. Activities that present unmanageable risks must be paused until safety measures are in place

Ongoing Monitoring & Evaluation

Ongoing monitoring and evaluation includes:

• Regularly reviewing policies and procedures.
• Gathering feedback from athletes, families, and staff.
• Tracking and learning from incidents, concerns, and audits.
  
  Safeguarding is a journey, not a checkbox. Organizations should establish systems to monitor the effectiveness of their policies, regularly gather feedback, and utilize that data to inform improvements. This transparency fosters trust and ensures that your safeguarding practices remain relevant and impactful as your programs evolve.

Ready to Start Your Safeguarding Journey?

Implementing these policies takes intention and care—but you’re not alone. Explore our Technical Assistance Program or schedule a Speaker Engagement to bring expert guidance to your organization.

• View the Full Safeguards Guide
• Technical Assistance Program
• Speaker Engagement
• Trauma-Informed Athletics for Institutions