Introduction
USA Cycling is committed to creating a safe and positive environment for its participants’ physical, emotional, and social development and to ensuring it promotes an environment free from misconduct and abuse. To achieve this, USA Cycling’s Safe Sport Program went into effect in January 2014. Today, the Program consists of three core components: (1) Education, (2) Policies (including Background Checks), and (3) Response and Resolution. In 2017, the U.S. Center for SafeSport (“The Center”) was launched and it has exclusive jurisdiction over sexual misconduct matters and may exercise discretionary jurisdiction over other misconduct. The Center also promulgates rules and policies around training requirements and misconduct. USA Cycling works closely with The Center to educate our membership, create policies that protect our members from misconduct and abuse and respond to and resolve allegations of misconduct when they arise.
1. Education
Education is a key component of any abuse and misconduct prevention strategy. USA Cycling encourages all members to complete The Center’s “SafeSport Trained” education and training program. USA Cycling requires members who have been authorized, appointed or approved to have regular contact with or authority over athletes to take SafeSport Trained. In addition, pursuant to The Center’s Education and Training Policy, USA Cycling requires adults at our Local Associations and with our Clubs who have regular contact with or authority over minor athletes to take SafeSport Trained. Those individuals required to complete SafeSport Trained must take the Core Training (“SafeSport Trained”) once followed by the Refresher Training every year thereafter. USA Cycling also provides regular communications regarding available SafeSport education opportunities to its members.
2. Policies
Following The Center’s launch in 2017, USA Cycling amended its Safe Sport Program policies. The necessary changes have been made and The Center continues to release updated policy standards, which USA Cycling complies with. The Safe Sport Program is currently made up of the following policies:
3. Response and Resolution
USA Cycling encourages everyone to report suspected misconduct, while some members are explicitly required to report misconduct. Multiple avenues for reporting suspected SafeSport violations are available, including anonymous and confidential options. Policy III – Grievances outlines the process that is followed when a SafeSport allegation within USA Cycling’s jurisdiction is received by USA Cycling.
