Reporting abuse in sport

Reporting Child Athlete Abuse

• Contact local authorities, either law enforcement officers or child protection services.
• If it is safe, the best practice is to let the child know that you have to report the abuse. It is important to be clear about your role as a mandated reporter.
• Share the details of what you know already about the abuse (who was involved, location of abuse, what happened). General information or details are okay.
• Remember, you are not the investigator – you are not charged with figuring out if the abuse happened. You are reporting suspicion or knowledge of abuse.
• It is the role of the mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect to provide a report of “reasonable suspicion” of abuse. This means that if a similarly experienced person in the same position as you suspects child abuse, it should be reported if you are a mandatory reporter.
• You can also report child abuse if you are not a mandatory reporter. Many states protect you from liability if you do make a discretionary report (a report not mandated by law but up to the individual’s decision).
• If you are a mandated reporter and the child is in immediate danger, you should act immediately and call law enforcement.
• If you are a mandated reporter and the child is not actively in danger, call your area’s Child Abuse Hotline or local law enforcement within 24 hours.
  • Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453
  • Child Helpline International, https://childhelplineinternational.org/
  • Child Rights International Network, https://home.crin.org/
• If you are in the United States, you can follow up with cross-reporting to the US Center for SafeSport.
• Follow up with self-care after reporting.

Key points to remember

Reporting child abuse can be an overwhelming process and the professional receiving the report will ask a lot of questions to determine what information you do and do not know. Before calling, it can be helpful to write down what you know before you call: who was involved, the location where the harm occurred, what the perpetrator’s relationship is to the child, and why you suspect abuse. But remember, your role in reporting abuse is not to make findings or determine if the abuse happened. You are simply reporting suspicion or actual knowledge of the abuse.

You can contact child abuse hotlines in your area to better understand reporting in your community and ask questions without filing a report.

• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453
• Child Helpline International, https://childhelplineinternational.org/

Child Rights International Network, https://home.crin.org/

After reporting, the agency will assess whether the child is in immediate danger and, if necessary, proceed with an investigation. If the abuse involves a sports organization, familiarize yourself with the league’s internal reporting policies as well. If you’re in the U.S., you can cross-report the abuse to the US Center for SafeSport.

Practice self-care after reporting, it can be a stressful and emotional process. And you may be considered a witness to the abuse and possibly called on in the investigation or prosecution of the abuser.

Not sure that abuse of a child happened

• Understand your role and any requirements you may have as a mandated reporter.
• Check out your responsibilities and options which may vary depending on the state and country.
  • Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453
  • Child Helpline International, https://childhelplineinternational.org/
• Be clear with the child survivor, if possible. Including asking them if they want to be part of the reporting process
  

Key points to remember

Suspecting the possibility of abuse of anyone, child or adult,  is a profoundly challenging experience. The responsibility to report is dependent on whether the survivor/victim is a child or an adult.  Adults do not have mandatory reporting requirements in general (except in some cases such as elder abuse and if the person is intellectually disabled).

Most jurisdictions with mandated reporters require reports of child abuse when there is a “reasonable suspicion” of abuse, meaning that a person with similar experiences knowing what you know, would have a suspicion of child abuse. This is a higher standard than just having an unfounded belief, it is an objective assessment of facts, observed or reported, leading a mandated reporter to believe a child is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect.

Reporting Adult Athlete Abuse

• Adults have the option to report abuse whenever they want to and to whichever system(s) they prefer.
• If you have responsibilities to report for some protected adults, such as the elderly or dependent adults, be sure to understand your roles and responsibilities based on your state and country’s laws.
• Speak with the adult athlete about their options: they can choose not to report, report through their sports governing body, or report directly to law enforcement.
• Within the U.S., athletes in sports governed by the USOPC can report incidents through the US Center for Safe Sport. **Note that all employees of the US Center for Safe Sport are mandatory reporters of child abuse.

Key points to remember
Always follow the lead of an adult athlete survivor. They have the option to choose how they want to pursue their definition of justice. Your role is to listen, support, and help identify options and resources for the athlete survivor.

In spaces where you are a mandatory reporter of elder abuse, child abuse, or dependent adults, be transparent about your status as a mandatory reporter as early as possible in the conversation where a disclosure may occur. When an athlete does disclose, always be clear, concise, and transparent about the mandatory reporting process, including next steps, who will be informed, and what follow-up steps will be taken.