Safe Sport Program

The U.S. Center for SafeSport is an independent nonprofit organization responsible for responding to and preventing emotional, physical, and sexual misconduct and abuse in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. The Center also serves as an educational resource for sports organizations at all levels, from recreational sports organizations to professional leagues.

The Center has created the SafeSport Code. This Code of Conduct establishes consistent standards of response and resolution to abuse and misconduct claims behavior across the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. The USOPC, NGBs, and LAOs must comply, in all respects, with these policies and procedures as defined by the Code. All participants of these organizations are responsible for adhering to and understanding the Code.

USA Wrestling has adopted our own Safe Sport Program Handbook to guide our members in this important movement. 

It is also important to understand what is not included in Safe Sport. Safe Sport is not about equipment safety, concussion protocol, or matters covered under the USA Wrestling Rule Book and Guide to Wrestling.

The MAAPP is a collection of proactive prevention and training policies for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement. It has three primary components: an Education and Training Policy, Required Prevention Policies, and Recommended Prevention Policies. The Center developed the MAAPP to assist National Governing Bodies, Paralympic Sport Organizations, Local Affiliated Organizations, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and other individuals to whom these policies apply in meeting their obligations under federal law.

USA Wrestling has long had systems in place to protect its participants from physical abuse, sexual abuse and other types of abuse and misconduct that can be harmful to youth athletes and other participants. The safety of its athletes, coaches, and volunteers is of paramount importance to USA Wrestling. This includes both on-mat and off-mat safety.

USA Wrestling is committed to creating the safest possible environment for participation in wrestling. We pledge to protect, support, and empower our athletes through this Safe Sport Program. USA Wrestling grants the privilege of membership to individuals and Member Programs committed to its mission. The privilege of membership may, therefore, be withdrawn or denied by USA Wrestling at any time where USA Wrestling determines that a member or prospective member's conduct is inconsistent with the mission of the organization or the best interest of the sport and those who participate in it.

The USA Wrestling Safe Sport Handbook incorporates the Center’s SafeSport Code and adds certain specifics that are relevant to the sport of wrestling.

Every Participant of USA Wrestling must report:

     (1) actual or perceived violations of the USA Wrestling Safe Sport Policy, including violations of the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy,

     (2) any violations of the Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Bullying, Threats or Harassment, or Hazing Policies, and

     (3) suspicions or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse to the U.S. Center for SafeSport or USA Wrestling representatives.

***Additionally, in all cases involving suspicions or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse, every Participant of USA Wrestling must also report to the appropriate law enforcement within 24 hours of learning about the allegations.

Reporting:

Complaints or information may be reported to the U.S. Center for SafeSport through the U.S. Center for SafeSport Report a Concern page: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern/  or by calling 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233), the Center's toll-free Report a Concern phone number.

Complaints or information may be reported to USA Wrestling by (1) completing an online report to USA Wrestling at https://www.usawmembership.com/misconduct, or (2) by calling 719-598-8181.