|
April 22, 2013 |
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Swimming
today launched its first-ever free online Safe Sport programming
for the more than 300,000 athlete members of the organization. The
online programming, created by youth protection education leader
Praesidium, will empower athletes with information about sexual
abuse prevention, how to identify inappropriate behavior, and how
to report concerns.
Athlete education will be available
onlinestarting on April 9.
"Education is a fundamental part of USA Swimming’s Safe
Sport program,” said Susan Woessner, Director of Safe Sport
for USA Swimming. “As we continue to work to raise awareness
about this important issue, the free athlete training will help
empower our membership with education about safe sport."
The comprehensive online programming includes information about
how offenders operate; how to recognize, respond, and report
boundary violations; myths and facts about child sexual abuse, and
USA Swimming's Athlete Protection Policies and Procedures.
The addition of the athlete training represents the third and
final phase of USA Swimming's online education launch. The
education for athletes is optional, but strongly encouraged.
In 2012, USA Swimming launched optional parent training for all
parents of its 300,000 plus members. In 2011, the organization
began mandatory online education for its 30,000 coaches,
non-athlete members and volunteers. USA Swimming requires all
non-athlete members to complete this training as a condition of
membership.
”USA Swimming continues to demonstrate their leadership in youth sports and strong commitment to safety,” said Britt Darwin-Looney, Praesidium’s Director of Youth Development Services. “We are pleased with the partnership and effort to educate all of their membership in such a short period of time.”
USA Swimming has developed one of the most comprehensive safe sport programs in Olympic sport. Its abuse prevention initiative is rooted in six core areas: Policies & Guidelines, Screening & Selection, Training & Education, Monitoring & Supervision, Recognizing, Reporting & Responding, and Grassroots Engagement & Feedback. For more information about USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program, visit www.usaswimming.org/protect.
