Reporting Child Abuse at Athletic Organizations

Navigating Your Role Under the Safe Sport Act

In 2018, the U.S. Congress signed the “Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act” (also known as the Safe Sport Act) into federal law. This law was created in direct response to the groundbreaking allegations of sexual abuse by gymnastics teacher Dr. Larry Nassar at USA Gymnastics, where it was estimated that he abused and assaulted over 300 young girls on the pretext of medical treatment.

Under the Safe Sport Act, all adults at youth-serving organizations – including athletic clubs, summer camps, and recreational sports leagues – are now considered to be “mandated reporters” of child sexual and physical abuse. If you know of child abuse at an athletic organization, or if you need counsel on how to respond to abuse allegations, it’s crucial that you speak with a Minneapolis attorney right away. At Caplan & Tamburino Law Firm, P.A., our seasoned civil litigators can help you navigate your role under the Safe Sport Act and ensure that you and your organization are compliant with the law.

Call (612) 444-5020 to discuss your concerns with an attorney. We offer free and confidential consultations. 

Understanding Child Abuse at Athletic Organizations

Whether child abuse is physical, sexual, or a combination of both, it can leave a lasting impact on the psyche of young victims and cause a lifetime of emotional pain. This is especially true when the abuse happens at the hands of a trusted athletic coach, teacher, or mentor.

Unfortunately, many sports and athletic institutions have recently come to grapple with an epidemic of child abuse in their ranks, as it became clear that bad actors like Larry Nassar were able to hide their actions from the authorities for decades. Although child abuse can happen anywhere, youth sports groups may present a higher risk due to the lack of abuse prevention training among staff members.

As a result, child abuse may be common at any of the following athletic groups:

• Athlete summer camps and “boot camps”
• Sports and recreational facilities
• Amateur sports organizations
• School athletic clubs
• Youth sports leagues
• National Governing Body (NGB) sports organizations
• Paralympic sports organizations for disabled children

Who Is a Mandated Reporter at Athletic Clubs and Programs?

From figure skating clubs to recreational leagues for hockey, many Minneapolis athletic institutions now have increased responsibilities under the Safe Sport Act. Mandated reporters in these groups are required to report suspected abuse of an amateur athlete within 24 hours, either to the newly-created U.S. Center for SafeSport (also known as SafeSport) or to the appropriate state and local authorities.

This sweeping legislation to protect young athletes doesn’t just include mandatory reporting requirements, however: It also extends the statutes of limitation for child abuse and authorizes the U.S. Center for SafeSport to train and assist amateur sports organizations.

With the Safe Sport Act, the following individuals are considered mandated reporters:

• Adults authorized by amateur sports organizations that participate in interstate or international competitions
• Adults authorized by a National Governing Body (NGB)
• Adults authorized by a member of an NGB

Should I Contact the Police?

Even if you are not a mandated reporter, athletic administrators and staff members should also report all concerns and complaints internally within 24 hours. From there, it’s important to contact law enforcement if there is reasonable cause to believe that child abuse has taken place, and it is also important to suspend the alleged perpetrator as soon as possible.

If you have questions about your role under the Safe Sport Act or about allegations of abuse at your organization, we recommend that you contact a skilled Minneapolis civil attorney as soon as possible to explore your legal options. When you call Caplan & Tamburino Law Firm, P.A., we will take quick action to review your case and determine the next steps for responding to abuse allegations.

Our attorneys are available 24/7 to take your call. Contact us at (612) 444-5020 or message us online right away.