Professional Ethics and Conduct Flashcards

When is it appropriate for a coach to conduct a physical assessment or medical check on an athlete?

Answer: With another trained adult present, parental consent obtained, and in a transparent setting

Physical assessments of athletes should involve another adult witness, prior parental/guardian consent, and occur in observable settings to prevent abuse.

A colleague discloses to you that they have developed romantic feelings for one of the adult athletes they coach. What is the most appropriate professional response?

Answer: Encourage them to report the conflict of interest to their supervisor and recuse themselves from coaching that athlete

Romantic feelings toward an athlete create a conflict of interest due to the inherent power imbalance; the coach must disclose this to supervisors and step back from coaching that athlete.

What does SafeSport mean by 'observable and interruptible' when describing appropriate athlete interactions?

Answer: Meetings or communications that are visible to others and can be joined or stopped by a third party at any moment

'Observable and interruptible' means others can see what is happening and can enter or interrupt the interaction at any time, removing secrecy from adult-athlete interactions.

A 17-year-old athlete confides to a volunteer that another athlete has been bullying them on social media. What action should the volunteer take first?

Answer: Report the situation to the organization's designated safeguarding lead following established procedures

Volunteers must report bullying incidents — including cyberbullying — to the organization's safeguarding designee, not attempt to resolve them independently.

Which of the following is a recognized warning sign of potential sexual grooming of a minor athlete by an adult?

Answer: The adult gives the athlete special attention, gifts, and attempts to spend time alone with them

Singling out a minor for special attention, gifts, and private time are classic grooming behaviors used to establish trust and isolate the victim.

Under SafeSport's Code of Conduct, what is required when an organization learns that a staff member has been charged (not convicted) with a crime involving abuse?

Answer: Follow SafeSport interim measures, which may include temporary suspension pending investigation

SafeSport allows organizations to implement interim protective measures — such as temporary suspension — when a staff member is charged with an abuse-related crime, without waiting for a conviction.

What is the primary purpose of a SafeSport Code of Conduct that athletes and staff sign?

Answer: To establish clear behavioral expectations and provide a framework for accountability in the sporting environment

A SafeSport Code of Conduct defines expected behaviors, sets professional and ethical standards, and creates an accountability framework for all participants.