SafeSport Reporting Obligations and Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Who is considered a mandatory reporter under SafeSport policies?
- Only coaches and team physicians
- Any adult who is a member of or authorized by a national governing body (Correct answer)
- Only paid employees of sports organizations
- Only law enforcement officials
Correct answer: Any adult who is a member of or authorized by a national governing body
SafeSport mandates that any adult member of or authorized by a national governing body must report suspected abuse to appropriate authorities.
Question 2: To whom should suspected abuse of an amateur athlete be reported under U.S. Center for SafeSport jurisdiction?
- Only local law enforcement
- The athlete's coach or team captain
- The U.S. Center for SafeSport and, where required, local law enforcement or child protective services (Correct answer)
- The athlete's parents or guardians only
Correct answer: The U.S. Center for SafeSport and, where required, local law enforcement or child protective services
Reports must go to the U.S. Center for SafeSport and may also require separate reporting to local authorities depending on state law.
Question 3: Within what timeframe must a mandatory reporter submit a report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport after becoming aware of suspected abuse?
- 72 hours
- 7 days
- 24 hours (Correct answer)
- 48 hours
Correct answer: 24 hours
Mandatory reporters must submit their report within 24 hours of becoming aware of suspected misconduct or abuse.
Question 4: Which of the following is a protected right under SafeSport's reporting framework?
- The right to investigate the alleged abuse before reporting
- Protection from retaliation for making a good-faith report (Correct answer)
- The right to remain anonymous in all circumstances
- The right to determine if the abuse is severe enough to report
Correct answer: Protection from retaliation for making a good-faith report
SafeSport explicitly prohibits retaliation against any person who makes a good-faith report of suspected misconduct or abuse.
Question 5: Where can mandatory reporters submit reports to the U.S. Center for SafeSport?
- Only via postal mail
- Only in person at a SafeSport regional office
- Via the SafeSport hotline or online at safesport.org (Correct answer)
- Only through their national governing body's legal department
Correct answer: Via the SafeSport hotline or online at safesport.org
Reports can be made through the SafeSport hotline (1-833-5US-SPRT) or submitted online at safesport.org for accessibility.
Question 6: What is the correct approach when a mandatory reporter is uncertain whether a situation constitutes abuse?
- Wait until there is more evidence before reporting
- Consult with the accused individual first to hear their perspective
- Report the suspected abuse; investigation is the responsibility of the appropriate authorities (Correct answer)
- Only report if a second adult also suspects abuse
Correct answer: Report the suspected abuse; investigation is the responsibility of the appropriate authorities
Mandatory reporters are required to report suspicions; it is not their job to investigate, confirm, or judge the severity of the abuse.
Question 7: What is the term for the act of discouraging, preventing, or penalizing someone for making a SafeSport report?
- Defamation
- Retaliation (Correct answer)
- Interference
- Misconduct
Correct answer: Retaliation
Retaliation against a good-faith reporter is explicitly prohibited under SafeSport policies and may itself result in sanctions.
SafeSport Reporting Obligations and Procedures 1
Who is considered a mandatory reporter under SafeSport policies?