RIDGEWOOD CREW SAFESPORT POLICY
Introduction
Ridgewood Crew is committed to creating and supporting an environment and a culture free from misconduct. The welfare of all individuals involved with our member organization is paramount. Behavior and actions that constitute misconduct will not be tolerated.
There are a lot of reasons to play sport—at any level. A life-long activity, people often play sport to have fun and spend time with friends. Sport also encourages a healthy lifestyle, builds self-confidence; athletes also do better off the field. They learn goal-setting, teamwork, and time management skills. Athletes are less likely to use cigarettes, drugs and alcohol; youth athletes have higher graduation rates and are more likely to attend college.
Unfortunately, sport can also be a high-risk environment for misconduct, including physical and sexual abuse. Here, we identify six primary types of misconduct:
All forms of misconduct are intolerable and in direct conflict with the values of Ridgewood Crew.
Abiding by USRowing and SafeSport Policy
The policy explained herein applies to Ridgewood Crew employees, individual members, Board members, volunteers, parent chaperones, and anyone in contact with athletes. Policy violations, misconduct and physical and sexual abuse must be reported consistent with the Reporting Policy as described herein. Ridgewood Crew does not investigate suspicions or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse or attempt to evaluate the credibility or validity of such allegations as a condition for reporting to appropriate law enforcement authorities and the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
As a member organization, Ridgewood Crew is in alignment with USRowing as the national governing body of rowing under the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”). Ridgewood Crew is grateful to USRowing and the USOPC for their contributions to the SafeSport initiative and dedication to promoting safe training environments in sport. This policy is based on the template provided by USRowing in complete support of the governing body’s policies and best practices.
The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and SafeSport Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-126) took effect in February 2018 (“SafeSport Act”). The SafeSport Act designated the United States Center for SafeSport (the “Center”) as the official safe sport organization for all Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, and Para Pan American sports in the United States. In an effort to prevent the emotional, physical and sexual abuse of amateur athletes, the SafeSport Act requires national governing bodies and Paralympic sports organizations to implement both prevention training and prevention policies.
As a member organization of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”), USRowing, its employees, contractors, volunteers, officials, board members, committee members and other designees, members and organizational members (collectively, “Participants”) are required to comply with the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code of the U.S. and Paralympic Movement (the “Code”), including its reporting requirements, available here: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020-SafeSport-Code-04.01.20.pdf
The Code serves as benchmark by which the Center or USRowing evaluates whether a Code violation has occurred. For violations that fall within the Center’s jurisdiction, the Center will determine resolutions and sanctions in connection with the violation. USRowing will process Code violations that occur outside the Center’s jurisdiction pursuant to the procedures outlined in the sections below.
The Code outlines prohibited conduct relating to the following categories for all Participants (hereinafter defined):
What to do in cases of Sexual Misconduct
Pursuant to the SafeSport Act as implemented by the Code, and USRowing’s Bylaws, the Center has exclusive jurisdiction over all issues involving Sexual Misconduct and Child Abuse (hereinafter defined). Such issues are to be reported directly to the Center and appropriate local authorities. Such reports to the Center should be made through the reporting form found here: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern/
Incidents NOT involving Sexual Misconduct
While non-sexual misconduct issues may be reported directly to the Center, USRowing encourages initial reporting of such matters to Ridgewood Crew using the internal reporting processes. Specifically, in the event a volunteer, board member, or coach is approached by a parent, athlete, or any other individual, regarding concerns or perceived or known violations of this policy, the volunteer, board member, or coach shall record the information, offer the parents or athlete the appropriate contact information, and report the concerns or perceived or known violations of this policy to the Board as soon as possible, but in any event within 24 hours.
Contact a Ridgewood Crew Board Member directly, or contact the Board via email at:
[email protected]
Responses may be anonymous, or if the reporters choose to share their identity, no personal information will be shared outside the Ridgewood Crew Board without the reporter's permission or unless disclosure by is required by law.
If for any reason you are not comfortable or satisfied with the above methods for reporting or with the results of that reporting, you may file a report directly on the USRowing website here: https://usrowing.org/sports/2018/4/13/18827_132107104230772015.aspx
You may also reach out to USRowing at the USRowing SafeSport Hotline: (609) 751-0710, or USRowing SafeSport e-mail: [email protected]
Introduction
Ridgewood Crew is committed to creating and supporting an environment and a culture free from misconduct. The welfare of all individuals involved with our member organization is paramount. Behavior and actions that constitute misconduct will not be tolerated.
There are a lot of reasons to play sport—at any level. A life-long activity, people often play sport to have fun and spend time with friends. Sport also encourages a healthy lifestyle, builds self-confidence; athletes also do better off the field. They learn goal-setting, teamwork, and time management skills. Athletes are less likely to use cigarettes, drugs and alcohol; youth athletes have higher graduation rates and are more likely to attend college.
Unfortunately, sport can also be a high-risk environment for misconduct, including physical and sexual abuse. Here, we identify six primary types of misconduct:
- Bullying
- Harassment
- Hazing
- Emotional Misconduct
- Physical Misconduct
- Sexual Misconduct, including Child Sexual Abuse
All forms of misconduct are intolerable and in direct conflict with the values of Ridgewood Crew.
Abiding by USRowing and SafeSport Policy
The policy explained herein applies to Ridgewood Crew employees, individual members, Board members, volunteers, parent chaperones, and anyone in contact with athletes. Policy violations, misconduct and physical and sexual abuse must be reported consistent with the Reporting Policy as described herein. Ridgewood Crew does not investigate suspicions or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse or attempt to evaluate the credibility or validity of such allegations as a condition for reporting to appropriate law enforcement authorities and the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
As a member organization, Ridgewood Crew is in alignment with USRowing as the national governing body of rowing under the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”). Ridgewood Crew is grateful to USRowing and the USOPC for their contributions to the SafeSport initiative and dedication to promoting safe training environments in sport. This policy is based on the template provided by USRowing in complete support of the governing body’s policies and best practices.
The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and SafeSport Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-126) took effect in February 2018 (“SafeSport Act”). The SafeSport Act designated the United States Center for SafeSport (the “Center”) as the official safe sport organization for all Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, and Para Pan American sports in the United States. In an effort to prevent the emotional, physical and sexual abuse of amateur athletes, the SafeSport Act requires national governing bodies and Paralympic sports organizations to implement both prevention training and prevention policies.
As a member organization of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”), USRowing, its employees, contractors, volunteers, officials, board members, committee members and other designees, members and organizational members (collectively, “Participants”) are required to comply with the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code of the U.S. and Paralympic Movement (the “Code”), including its reporting requirements, available here: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020-SafeSport-Code-04.01.20.pdf
The Code serves as benchmark by which the Center or USRowing evaluates whether a Code violation has occurred. For violations that fall within the Center’s jurisdiction, the Center will determine resolutions and sanctions in connection with the violation. USRowing will process Code violations that occur outside the Center’s jurisdiction pursuant to the procedures outlined in the sections below.
The Code outlines prohibited conduct relating to the following categories for all Participants (hereinafter defined):
- Criminal Charges or Dispositions
- Child Abuse
- Bullying
- Harassment
- Hazing
- Sexual Misconduct
- Emotional Misconduct
- Physical Misconduct
- Aiding and Abetting
- Misconduct Related to Reporting
- Misconduct Related to the Center’s Process
- Other Inappropriate Conduct
- Violation of the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (“MAAPP”)
What to do in cases of Sexual Misconduct
Pursuant to the SafeSport Act as implemented by the Code, and USRowing’s Bylaws, the Center has exclusive jurisdiction over all issues involving Sexual Misconduct and Child Abuse (hereinafter defined). Such issues are to be reported directly to the Center and appropriate local authorities. Such reports to the Center should be made through the reporting form found here: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern/
Incidents NOT involving Sexual Misconduct
While non-sexual misconduct issues may be reported directly to the Center, USRowing encourages initial reporting of such matters to Ridgewood Crew using the internal reporting processes. Specifically, in the event a volunteer, board member, or coach is approached by a parent, athlete, or any other individual, regarding concerns or perceived or known violations of this policy, the volunteer, board member, or coach shall record the information, offer the parents or athlete the appropriate contact information, and report the concerns or perceived or known violations of this policy to the Board as soon as possible, but in any event within 24 hours.
Contact a Ridgewood Crew Board Member directly, or contact the Board via email at:
[email protected]
Responses may be anonymous, or if the reporters choose to share their identity, no personal information will be shared outside the Ridgewood Crew Board without the reporter's permission or unless disclosure by is required by law.
If for any reason you are not comfortable or satisfied with the above methods for reporting or with the results of that reporting, you may file a report directly on the USRowing website here: https://usrowing.org/sports/2018/4/13/18827_132107104230772015.aspx
You may also reach out to USRowing at the USRowing SafeSport Hotline: (609) 751-0710, or USRowing SafeSport e-mail: [email protected]
