Overview:

Sport offers individuals the chance to experience the joys of competition, teamwork and personal development. But the unfortunate reality is that athletes can also be vulnerable to situations of misconduct, from their peers and adults.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport works collaboratively with sport organizations to ensure a culture of safety through our awareness, education and training programs, so that every athlete is safe, supported and strengthened through sport.

Safe. Athletes are protected from emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

Supported. Athletes enjoy welcome, respectful environments where diversity is actively embraced.

Strengthened. Every athlete thrives, on and off the field of play.

• SafeSport PSA (Video)

Who Must Complete the Online Training:

As the National Governing Body (NGB) for paddlesports in the U.S., the following ACA members and other individuals who come in contact with athletes will need to adhere to the ACA's SafeSport Policy and complete the core online training module:

• Competition Individual Members
  • includes athletes (18 years and older) traveling to sanctioned national and international competitions
  • OPTIONAL: minor athletes (17 and younger) have the option to complete age appropriate minor athlete training at www.athletesafety.org
    
• Officials & Judges
• Coaches
  • any individual coaching a U.S. athlete
• Professional medical personnel (outside of a hospital or doctor's office setting), including Doctors, Physicians Assistants, Physiologists, Physical Therapists, Massage Therapists, and Psychologists.
• Competition Council
  • Competitive Discipline Committees
• Volunteers Traveling with Teams (domestically & internationally)
• Camp Committee for Sebago
• National Office Staff
• Board of Directors

How to Complete the Online Training:

Important Notice - As of 3/3/2021, SafeSport training will be completed using a new platform. Any past training has been saved and transfered to your profile on the new platform. You will have to reset your password when logging in for the first time on safesporttrained.org using the 'Forgot Password' link. For those who have not completed training or made an account prior to 3/3/2021 use the instructions below.

• Click on the ACA SafeSport link here
  
• Create online profile
• Complete the core training module (approximately 1.5 hours)
  • Sexual Misconduct Awareness Education
  • Emotional & Physical Misconduct
  • Mandatory Reporting: Understanding Your Responsibilities
• Certificate
  • upon completing the training, you will receive a SafeSport Trained Certificate
• Online Training FAQ (PDF)
• Core Training remains valid as long as:
  • You complete an annual refresher course, which is about 30 minutes (Starting September 2019)
  • All applicable ACA members need to complete the annual refresher course prior to December 31, 2020
  • Simply login to your existing SafeSport account and the refresher course will appear on your dashboard

Optional Minor (17 and younger) and Parent online training: Training - SafeSport

ACA SafeSport Policy & Handbook: 

• ACA SafeSport Policy (PDF)
• ACA SafeSport Handbook (PDF)
• Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (PDF)
  

U.S. Center for SafeSport - Code:

• SafeSport Code for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement (PDF)

U.S. Olympic Committee:

• Athlete Services - Safesport

Report Abuse or Misconduct:

*Contact 9-1-1 Immediately if you're facing a life-threatening emergency. 

**YOU MAY REPORT ANONYMOUSLY. 

***No direct fees or other cost is involved with making a SafeSport report.

Sexual Misconduct

The U.S. Center for SafeSport handles ALL reports of sexual abuse within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Make a report to the Center if you have a reasonable suspicion of sexual misconduct such as child sex abuse, non-consensual sexual conduct, sexual harassment or intimate relationships involving an imbalance of power.

If you choose to report anonymously, please write ANONYMOUS on the online SafeSport Report Form where it says "Your full name." If you would prefer to report by phone, please call 720-531-0340. Callers may remain anonymous.

• Report a Concern to the U.S. Center for SafeSport

Contact Local Authorities
Contact your local authorities if you have a reasonable suspicion that child sexual abuse or neglect has occurred. All reports of child abuse or sexual assault of a minor must also be reported to local authorities. Reports of abuse not involving a minor may also be reported to local authorities.

Contact the SafeSport Crisis Line

For 24/7 crisis support, contact the SafeSport crisis line for crisis interventions, referrals and emotional support. This confidential and secure helpline is operated by RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. The SafeSport Helpline provides crisis intervention, referrals, and emotional support specifically designed for athletes, staff, and other SafeSport participants affected by sexual violence. Through this service, support specialists provide live, confidential, one-on-one support. All services are anonymous, secure, and available 24/7.

• Call: (866) 200-0796
• Crisis Line  

Reporting Other Forms of Misconduct

To report other forms of misconduct to the ACA, such as emotional or physical misconduct, bullying, hazing, harassment, or violations of the minor athlete abuse prevention policies:

• Report Online, or
• Contact the ACA Executive Director

**YOU MAY REPORT ANONYMOUSLY. If you choose to report anonymously, please write ANONYMOUS where it says "First Name" and "Last Name" on the ACA form.

Suspended and Permanently Ineligible ACA Member List:

Membership in the ACA is a privilege and not a right. In order to retain this privilege, members must comply with the published Code of Conduct and other provisions of the Code. That privilege can be withdrawn by the ACA at any time where a member's conduct is determined to be inconsistent with the best interest of the sport and of the athletes we are serving.

• Suspended and Permanently Ineligible List

Additional Information:

• Learn more at SafeSport.org