SafeSport Will Now Alert Schools, Clubs if Coaches Sanctioned for Abuse Continue to Work With Kids
ProPublica · Molly Hensley-Clancy ·
The U.S. Center for SafeSport is taking new steps to protect children from athletic coaches banned over abuse allegations. The move follows a ProPublica-Washington Post investigation that found several sanctioned coaches continued to work with kids.
The U.S. Center for SafeSport is taking steps to stop coaches banned over allegations of sexual abuse from working with children, part of an initiative that the organization said it is launching because of reporting by ProPublica and The Washington Post about gaps in the child protection system in youth sports.
Charged by Congress with investigating allegations of sexual abuse in sports, SafeSport has the power to suspend or permanently bar coaches from contact with athletes and place their names on a public disciplinary list. But the center has authority only over the country’s national sports governing bodies, which are overseen by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Elementary and high schools, colleges and many independent youth sports leagues are not required to follow SafeSport’s bans, though some opt to do so. Parents and other caregivers only know if a coach has been sanctioned if they check the list.
SafeSport’s new initiative encourages people to find and report banned coaches who are continuing to work with children, SafeSport said, with a publicity initiative that includes a video with its CEO.
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