SafeSport.
Kentucky Youth Soccer is firmly committed to prioritizing the safety and well-being of all youth athletes within our programs. As part of our unwavering dedication to creating secure environments, we fully support and enforce the U.S. Center for SafeSport initiative.
The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017, which was enacted in 2018, represents a crucial step towards establishing a protective framework for young athletes. This law, an amendment to the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, ensures that the safety, dignity, and respect of every youth participant remain paramount in all aspects of their athletic journey.
Click here to review the full policy
US Soccer created a comprehensive program as the Framework for SafeSoccer. The components of this framework are:
- Policies and Process
- Screening
- Training and Education
- Reporting
- Monitoring and Enforcement
Click here for the SafeSoccer Handbook.
Kentucky Youth Soccer SafeSoccer Policy – Click here (PDF)
The Kentucky Youth Soccer SafeSoccer Policy includes information regarding:
- Adult Participants, Minor Athletes, and Policy Exceptions
- Prohibited Conduct
- Mandatory Reporting
- Background Checks
- Education & Training
- Required Policies for One-On-One Interactions
- Meeting and Training Sessions
- Athletic Training Modalities, Massages, and Rubdowns
- Locker Rooms and Changing Areas
- Electronic Communications
- Transportation
- Lodging
All Adult Participants of Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA) are mandatory reporters of any known or suspected child abuse. All reports must be made to the appropriate law enforcement authorities within 24 hours; the abuse does not need to be confirmed. Adult Participants should never seek to conduct their own investigations.
KYSA does not tolerate retaliation of any kind. Any Adult Participant or Minor Athlete who makes a good faith report will not be subject to retaliation, including harassment, as a result of making a report. The SafeSport Act of 2017 also includes qualified immunity for good faith reports. The obligation to report is not always satisfied by making an initial report and an Adult Participant is required to report supplemental information of which he/she becomes aware that may be relevant in a pending investigation.
As KYSA is now required to have a mechanism for all individuals (adults and minors) to report abuse, all are encouraged to utilize the “Report An Incident” feature with the KYSA digital compliance platform. Regardless of the method for reporting any known or suspected child abuse, all Adult Participants of KYSA are also required to report the information to KYSA.
- KY Youth Soccer Risk Management Committee – Kris Zander, kriszander@kysoccer.net
- National Governing Body (US Soccer) | US Soccer Integrity Hotline: 312-528-7004 or https://www.ussoccer.com/report-a-concern
- US Center for SafeSport: https://ussoccer-reporting.caseiq.app/portal