Wilk-Amite Youth Football 
Safe Sport Policy

Table of Contents
Introduction  
Definitions  
Strategies to Recognize, Reduce, and Respond to Misconduct in Sport 
Strategy 1: Athlete Protection 
Strategy 2: Screening Volunteers 
Strategy 3: Training and Education 
Strategy 4: Supervision of Athletes
Strategy 5: Responding to Abuse, Misconduct and Policy Violations
Strategy 6: Monitoring
Appendix A: Background Check Criterion Offenses for Volunteers 
Appendix B: Participant Authorization to Use Name, Likeness and Voice
Appendix C: Incident Report Form
Appendix D: Documentation Form for SafeSport Committee Use 
 

Introduction

There are many reasons to play football. It encourages a healthy lifestyle, builds self-confidence and teaches important life lessons about teamwork and discipline. Football players, and athletes in general, also do better off the field. Athletes learn goal-setting, teamwork and time management skills; they are less likely to use cigarettes, drugs and alcohol; they have higher graduation rates and are more likely to attend college. 

1. Bullying
2. Harassment
3. Hazing
4. Emotional Misconduct
5. Physical Misconduct
6. Sexual Misconduct, including Child Sexual Abuse

SafeSport Committee 
Sexual Misconduct 
Child Sexual Abuse 
Physical Misconduct 
Emotional Misconduct 
Bullying 
Harassment 
Hazing 
Willfully Tolerating Misconduct 

Strategy 2: Screening Volunteers

Background Check Policy
Duty of Full Disclosure
Criminal Background Check Process 

Strategy 3: Sex Abuse Prevention and Other Misconduct Training and Education 

Strategy 4: Supervision of Athletes and Participants 

Strategy 5: Responding to Abuse, Misconduct and Policy Violations 

SafeSport Committee Operation 
Reporting Policy 
Reporting Procedure 
Confidentiality, Anonymous Reporting and Bad Faith Allegations
How Reports Are Handled
Disciplinary Rules and Procedures
Media Policy 

Strategy 6: Monitoring the Organization’s Policy 

Definitions

This section defines key words and concepts used throughout this Safe Sport Policy
Handbook. The definitions set forth are intended to be universal in nature; however, some definitions vary by state. For example, the legal definition of child abuse is determined by each individual state. Guidelines concerning specific states may be found by visiting the Child Welfare Information Gateway at www.childwelfare.gov. 
ATHLETE: Any player who participates in any practice, drills, camps of Wilk-Amite Youth Football. 
CHILD, CHILDREN, MINOR, AND YOUTH: Anyone under the age of 18. The terms child, children, minor, and youth are used interchangeably throughout these policies. 
COACH: Any adult who has or shares the responsibility for instructing, teaching, schooling, training, or advising an athlete under the auspices of Wilk-Amite Youth Football.  
MISCONDUCT: Any conduct that results in harm, the potential for harm, or the imminent threat of harm. Age is irrelevant to misconduct. There are six primary types of misconduct in sport: emotional misconduct, physical misconduct, sexual misconduct, harassment, hazing, and bullying.  
ORGANIZATION: The youth football organization that adopted this SafeSport policy- Wilk-Amite Youth Football.
SAFESPORT COMMITTEE: Committee formed by Wilk-Amite Youth Football that manages any and all allegations of misconduct, abuse and policy violations. The SafeSport Committee is comprised of Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s Board of Directors. 
VOLUNTEER: Any individual providing service to Wilk-Amite Youth Football, including board members, administrators, coaches, assistant coaches, trainers, and team/assistants.  

Strategy 1: Athlete Protection Policy     

Overview

In the event that any Wilk-Amite Youth Football volunteer observes inappropriate behaviors, suspected physical or sexual abuse, or misconduct, it is the personal responsibility of each administrator or volunteer to immediately report his or her observations to the Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s SafeSport Committee.   
Wilk-Amite Youth Football is committed to creating a safe and positive environment for athletes’ physical, emotional and social development and to ensuring that it promotes an environment free of misconduct.
Administrators and volunteers should not attempt to evaluate the credibility or validity of child physical or sexual abuse allegations as a condition for reporting to appropriate law enforcement authorities. Instead, it is the responsibility of each volunteer to immediately report suspicions or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse to a board member or the SafeSport Committee and if required, a law enforcement agency.  
This organization recognizes that the process for training and motivating athletes will vary with each coach and athlete, but it is nevertheless important for everyone involved in sport to support the use of motivational and training methods that avoid misconduct.

SafeSport Policy Application

1. Sexual misconduct, including child sexual abuse  
2. Physical misconduct
3. Emotional misconduct
4. Bullying
5. Harassment
6. Hazing

SafeSport Committee

Sexual Misconduct

• Any touching or non-touching sexual interaction that is (a) nonconsensual or forced, (b) coerced or manipulated, or (c) perpetrated in an aggressive, harassing, exploitative or threatening manner;
• Any sexual interaction between an athlete and an individual with evaluative, direct or indirect authority. Such relationships involve an imbalance of power and are likely to impair judgment or be exploitative; or
• Any act or conduct described as sexual abuse or misconduct under federal or state law (e.g. sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, rape).

1. Sexual assault;
2. Sexual harassment;
3. Sexual abuse; and
4. Any other sexual intimacies that exploit an athlete. Minors cannot consent to sexual activity with an adult and all sexual interaction between an adult and a minor is strictly prohibited.

1. Touching offenses. Behaviors that include:
   1. Fondling an athlete’s breasts or buttocks;
   2. Exchange of reward in sport (e.g., team placement, scores, feedback) for sexual favors;
   3. Genital contact; and 
   4. Sexual relations or intimacies between persons in a position of trust, authority and/or evaluative and supervisory control over athletes or other sport participants.
2. Non-touching offenses. Behaviors that include: 
   1. A coach discussing his or her sex life with an athlete;
   2. A coach asking an athlete about his or her sex life;
   3. Coach requesting or sending a nude or partial-dress photo to athlete;
   4. Exposing athletes to pornographic material;
   5. Sending athletes sexually explicit or suggestive electronic or written messages or photos (e.g. “sexting”);
   6. Deliberately exposing an athlete to sexual acts;
   7. Deliberately exposing an athlete to nudity (except in situations where locker rooms and changing areas are shared);
   8. Sexual harassment; specifically, the sexual solicitation, physical advances or verbal or nonverbal conduct that is sexual in nature; and 
   9. Is unwelcome, offensive or creates a hostile environment, and the offending individual knows or is told this; and

Child Sexual Abuse 

1. Any sexual activity with a child where consent is not or cannot be given. This includes sexual contact with a child that is accomplished by deception, manipulation, force or threat of force, regardless of the age of the participants, and all sexual interactions between an adult and a child, regardless of whether there is deception or the child understands the sexual nature of the activity.

1. Any act or conduct described as child sexual abuse under federal or state law.
2. Sexually abusive acts may include sexual penetration, sexual touching or non-contact sexual acts such as verbal acts, sexually suggestive electronic or written communications, exposure or voyeurism.

Physical Misconduct

1. Contact or non-contact conduct that results in, or reasonably threatens to, cause physical harm to an athlete or other sport participants; or
2. Any act or conduct described as physical abuse or misconduct under federal or state law (e.g. child abuse, child neglect, assault).

1. Contact offenses. Prohibited behaviors include:
   1. Punching, beating, biting, striking, choking or slapping an athlete;
   2. Intentionally hitting an athlete with objects or sporting equipment;
   3. Providing alcohol to an athlete under the legal drinking age; 
   4. Providing illegal drugs or non-prescribed medications to any athlete;
   5. Encouraging or permitting an athlete to return to play prematurely following a serious injury (e.g., a concussion) and without the clearance of a medical professional;
   6. Prescribing dieting or other weight-control methods (e.g., weigh-ins, caliper tests) without regard for the nutritional well-being and health of athlete.
2. Non-contact offenses. Prohibited behaviors include:
   1. Isolating an athlete in a confined space (e.g., locking an athlete in a small space);
   2. Forcing an athlete to assume a painful stance or position for no athletic purpose (e.g. Requiring an athlete to kneel on a harmful surface);
   3. Withholding, recommending against or denying adequate hydration, nutrition, medical attention or sleep.

Emotional Misconduct

1. A pattern of deliberate, non-contact behavior that has the potential to cause emotional or psychological harm to an athlete. Non-contact behaviors include: a. Verbal acts
   1. Physical acts
   2. Acts that deny attention or support
2. Any act or conduct described as emotional abuse or misconduct under federal or state law (e.g. child abuse, child neglect).

1. Verbal Acts. A pattern of verbal behaviors that (a) attack an athlete personally (e.g., calling him or her worthless, fat or disgusting) or (b) repeatedly and excessively yelling at a particular participant or participants in a manner that serves no productive training or motivational purpose.
2. Physical Acts. A pattern of physically aggressive behaviors, such as (a) throwing sport equipment, water bottles or chairs at, or in the presence of, participants; or (b) punching walls, windows or other objects.
3. Acts that Deny Attention and Support. A pattern of (a) ignoring an athlete for extended periods of time or (b) routinely or arbitrarily excluding participants from practice.

Bullying

1. An intentional, persistent and repeated pattern of committing or willfully tolerating physical and non-physical behaviors that are intended, or have the reasonable potential, to cause fear, humiliation or physical harm in an attempt to socially exclude, diminish or isolate the targeted athlete(s), as a condition of membership.
2. Any act or conduct described as bullying under federal or state law.

1. Physical behaviors. Behaviors that include (a) hitting, pushing, punching, beating, biting, striking, kicking, choking or slapping an athlete; (b) throwing at or hitting an athlete with objects such as sporting equipment.
2. Verbal and emotional behaviors. Behaviors that include (a) teasing, ridiculing, intimidating; (b) spreading rumors or making false statements; or (c) using electronic communications, social media or other technology to harass, frighten, intimidate or humiliate (“cyber bulling”).

Harassment

1. A repeated pattern of physical and/or non-physical behaviors that (a) are intended to cause fear, humiliation or annoyance, (b) offend or degrade, (c) create a hostile environment or (d) reflect discriminatory bias in an attempt to establish dominance, superiority or power over an individual athlete or group based on gender, race,

1. Any act or conduct described as harassment under federal or state law

1. Physical offenses. Behaviors that include (a) hitting, pushing, punching, beating, biting, striking, kicking, choking or slapping an athlete or participant; (b) throwing at or hitting an athlete with objects including sporting equipment.
2. Non-physical offenses. Behaviors that include (a) making negative or disparaging comments about an athlete’s sexual orientation, gender expression, disability, religion, skin color, or ethnic traits; (b) displaying offensive materials, gestures, or symbols; (c) withholding or reducing playing time to an athlete based on his or her sexual orientation.

Hazing

1. Coercing, requiring, forcing or willfully tolerating any humiliating, unwelcome or dangerous activity that serves as a condition for (a) joining a group or (b) being socially accepted by a group’s members; or
2. Any act or conduct described as hazing under federal or state law

1. Requiring, forcing or otherwise requiring the consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs;
2. Tying, taping or otherwise physically restraining an athlete;
3. Sexual simulations or sexual acts of any nature;
4. Sleep deprivation, otherwise unnecessary schedule disruption or the withholding of water and/or food;
5. Social actions (e.g. Grossly inappropriate or provocative clothing) or public displays

1. Beating, paddling or other forms of physical assault; and
2. Excessive training requirements focused on individuals on a team.

Reporting

Although these policies are designed to reduce child sexual abuse and other misconduct, it can still occur. All administrators and volunteers of Wilk-Amite Youth Football shall follow the reporting procedures set forth Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s Reporting Policy. 
Wilk-Amite Youth Football 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 of reporting suspicions or allegations to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

Violations

Strategy 2: Screening Volunteers

Background Check Policy  Persons Required to Submit to a Criminal Background Check

1. All Wilk-Amite Youth Football volunteers shall consent to and pass a criminal
2. background check before performing services for Wilk-Amite Youth Football and at an interval not exceeding two years. (See Appendix A for a description of criterion offenses.)
3. All volunteer contractors shall consent to and pass a criminal background check before performing services for the organization and at an interval not exceeding two years if the volunteer, temporary worker or independent contractor:  
4. Is working or volunteering for the organization (e.g., we hired, recruited or retained the person. It is our volunteer, not another group’s volunteer); 
5. May not always be directly supervised by an organization volunteer (e.g., the volunteer recording player heights and weights does not need a background check); and

1. Has more contact with youth players than the general public (e.g., access to the playing field or locker rooms, and/or has physical contact with players);
2. Has access to confidential personal or financial information. OR

Duty of Full Disclosure

1. If an applicant (1) is arrested, (2) pleas or (3) is convicted of a crime other than a traffic offense during the screening process, the applicant is required to disclose such information immediately.
2. In the event a person is serving as an employee, contractor or volunteer and (1) is arrested, (2) pleas or (3) is convicted after the completion of the screening process, he or she has an affirmative duty to disclose such information immediately to Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s board. Breach of this affirmative duty is grounds for dismissal. 
3. Any applicant who has been banned by another sport or youth organization, as temporarily or permanently ineligible, must self-disclose this information. A failure to disclose is a basis for disqualification for potential applicants or termination for existing employees/volunteers.

Criminal Background Check Process

1. All applicants who meet the above criteria will be asked to undergo a criminal background check with Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s approved third-party vendor that complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act before providing services for Wilk-Amite  Youth Football. Through this criminal background check, Wilk-Amite Youth Football will utilize reasonable efforts to ascertain past criminal history of an applicant. An applicant must receive a green light score (described below) from the background check vendor before he or she may perform services for Wilk-Amite Youth Football.
2. The criminal background check vendor will, at a minimum and without limitation: 
   1. Perform a national search of state criminal repositories for evidence of criterion offenses (listed in Appendix A);
   2. Perform a search of state sexual offender registries; and
   3. Verify a person’s identification against his or her social security number or other personal identifier.
   4. Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s criminal background check vendor may also check motor vehicle records of employees and contractors who will operate motor vehicles as part of their job responsibilities. 
3. Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s criminal background check vendor will return a “red light” or “green light” score. 
   1. A green light score means that the background check vendor located no records that would disqualify the applicant. A green light score, however, is not a certification of safety or permission to bypass/ignore other screening efforts. Other disqualifying factors may exist and can be revealed through an interview, reference checks and a completed application.

1. A red light finding means the criminal background check revealed criminal records that suggest the applicant “does not meet the criteria” and is not suitable for Wilk-Amite Youth Football employment or volunteer assignment. Individuals who are subject to disqualification under a “red light” finding may challenge the accuracy of the reported information produced by the criminal background check vendor.

1. Appeal. Any disqualified individual has the right to dispute the findings of the criminal background check directly with Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s approved criminal  background check vendor. A disqualified individual may not appeal the automatic disqualification or the results of the findings of the criminal background check vendor to Wilk-Amite Youth Football. Wilk-Amite Youth Football will accept the findings of the approved criminal background check vendor.
2. Notice of findings will be provided to: 
   1.  Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s SafeSport Committee; and
   2. Where relevant, other designated individuals, where necessary to protect the safety of minors. Whenever possible, all that will be communicated is that the applicant is or is not eligible to participate in the Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s activities. 
3. Organization Action. Wilk-Amite Youth Football will not engage in an individualized determination for volunteers or temporary workers. If its criminal background check vendor issues a red light, that individual will be ineligible to participate in Wilk-Amite Youth Football activities unless and until Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s background check vendor issues a green light. The individual may engage in the appeal process directly with the background check vendor.     
4. Confidentiality. Unless a red light is issued, Wilk-Amite Youth Football is not privy to any information submitted by prospective or current volunteer to the background check provider or any information found by the provider. All materials sent to Wilk-Amite Youth Football under these circumstances shall be kept confidential among the board.   

Strategy 3: Sex Abuse Prevention and Other Misconduct Training and Education


It is Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s policy that board members, administrators, the coaching staff, team managers and any and all volunteers who have routine access to minor athletes (collectively, “Wilk-Amite Youth Football Volunteers”) are required to report abuse and misconduct. To do so, Wilk-Amite Youth Football Volunteers should have a basic understanding of sexual abusers, as well as “grooming,” the most common strategy                              offenders use to seduce their victims. Using a combination of attention,                      affection and gifts, offenders select a child, win the child’s trust (and the                      trust of the child’s parent or guardian), manipulate the child into sexual                        activity, and keep the child from disclosing abuse.  

Accordingly, all Wilk-Amite Youth Football Volunteers must complete an awareness training concerning misconduct in sport before performing services for the Wilk-Amite Youth Football. Every two years Volunteers must retake the course or a recertification course and pass the (re)certification quiz.  
An abuse awareness training course includes the following elements:

1. Provides definitions for, and effects of, child physical and sexual abuse
2. Identifies risk opportunities for child physical and sexual abuse
3. Addresses common myths about offenders
4. Outlines patterns, behaviors and methods of operation of sexual predators
5. Requires testing consistent with existing standards of care and legislation, where applicable.

Strategy 4: Supervision of Athletes and Participants        

1. Any individual meeting should occur when others are present and where interactions can be easily observed.
2. Where possible, an individual meeting should take place in a publicly visible and open area.
3. If an individual meeting is to take place in an office, the door should remain unlocked and open.
4. If a closed-door meeting is necessary, Wilk-Amite Youth Football Volunteer must inform another Wilk-Amite Youth Football Volunteer and ensure the door remains unlocked.

Individual training session(s) with an athlete or participant may also be desired or necessary. Under these circumstances, written permission of a minor athlete’s parents or guardians is required in advance of the individual training session(s), and Wilk-Amite Youth Football encourages parents and guardians to attend the training session.

 Prohibited One-On-One Interactions:
Except as set forth above, minor athletes and participants will not be left unattended or unsupervised during Wilk-Amite Youth Football activities and Wilk-Amite Youth Football Volunteers are prohibited from being alone with an individual athlete or participant in any room or building.

Appropriate Physical Contact:                                
Safety: The safety of our athletes is paramount and, in many instances, we make the athletic space safer through appropriate physical contact. 
Celebration: Sports are physical by definition, and we recognize participants often express their joy of participation, competition, achievement and victory through physical acts. 
Consolation: It may be appropriate to console an emotionally distressed athlete (e.g., an athlete who has been injured or has just lost a competition).  
 
Prohibited Physical Contact:
Prohibited forms of physical contact, which shall be reported immediately under our Reporting Policy include, without limitation:

1. Lingering or repeated embraces of athletes that go beyond the criteria set forth for acceptable physical contact;
2. Slapping, hitting, punching, kicking or any other physical contact meant to discipline, punish or achieve compliance from an athlete;
3. “Cuddling” or maintaining prolonged physical contact during any aspect of training, travel or overnight stay;
4. Tickling, “horseplay” or wrestling; 
5. Continued physical contact that makes an athlete obviously uncomfortable.

Social Media Policy and Electronic Communications

As part of Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s emphasis on athlete safety, all electronic communications between Wilk-Amite Youth Football Volunteers and an athlete must be professional in nature and for the purpose of communicating information about football activities. As with any communication, the content of any electronic communication should be readily available to share with the athlete’s family. At the request of a parent or guardian, any email, electronic text, social media or similar communication will copy or include the athlete’s parents or guardians.
 
Social media and electronic communications can also be used to commit misconduct (e.g., emotional, sexual, bullying, harassment and hazing). Such communications by coaches, volunteers, administrators, officials, parents or athletes will not be tolerated and are considered violations of our SafeSport Policy.

Violations of Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s Electronic Communications and social media Policy should be reported to the SafeSport Committee. Complaints and allegations will be addressed under the Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s Disciplinary Rules and Procedures.

Locker Rooms and Changing Areas

Wilk-Amite Youth Football is concerned with locker room activities between minors, minors and adults, adults being alone with individual minors in locker rooms and changing areas, with nonofficial or non-related adults having unsupervised access to minor participants and with inappropriate behavior among adults in locker rooms.
 Wilk-Amite Youth Football has predictable and limited use of locker rooms and changing areas (e.g., immediately before and following practices and competitions). This allows for direct and regular monitoring of locker room areas. While constant monitoring inside of locker rooms and changing areas might be the most effective way to prevent problems, we understand that this would likely make athletes uncomfortable and may even place our volunteers at risk for unwarranted suspicion.

1. Wilk-Amite Youth Football generally has staggered games with different groups arriving and departing throughout the day. It is therefore not practical to constantly monitor locker rooms and changing areas over this extended course of time. 
2. While we do not post Wilk-Amite Youth Football Volunteers inside or at the doors of the locker rooms and changing areas, we do make occasional sweeps of these areas. Wilk-Amite Youth Football Volunteers conduct these sweeps, with women checking on female-designated areas and men checking on male-designated areas.

1. If this is necessary, parents should let the coach or other Wilk-Amite Youth Football Volunteer know about this in advance. 
2. If an athlete needs assistance with his or her uniform or gear (for example, a child under the age of eight), or an athlete’s disability warrants assistance, then we ask that parents let the coach or a Wilk-Amite Youth Football Volunteer know beforehand that he or she will be helping the athlete. 

Use of Cell Phones and Other Mobile Recording Devices 

Cell phones and other mobile devices with recording capabilities, including voice recording, still cameras and video cameras increase the risk for different forms of misconduct in locker rooms and changing areas. As a result, THERE WILL BE NO USE OF A DEVICE’S RECORDING CAPABILITIES IN THE LOCKER ROOMS OR CHANGING AREAS.
Violations of this policy will be addressed under the Disciplinary Rules and Procedures and may result in the sanctions as set forth therein, including temporary suspension from competition.
Travel
Wilk-Amite Youth  Football has established policies to guide our travel, minimize one-on-one interactions and reduce the risk of misconduct. Adherence to these travel guidelines will increase athlete safety and improve the competitive experience while keeping travel a fun and enjoyable experience. At this time, Wilk-Amite Youth  Football participants do not engage in team travel requiring overnight stays.
Travel Notification
Wilk-Amite Youth  Football will provide reasonable advance notice before team travel.  Travel notice will include this example: On Saturday, September 16, 2023, Wilk-Amite Wildcats Youth Football players are scheduled to travel to Magnolia, Mississippi to play the 205 Rattlers Youth Football teams. A Wilkinson County School District bus has been approved for transportation to Magnolia. 
Players are NOT REQUIRED to travel on the Team Bus, but must be at the field  in Magnolia at 8:15 AM. The field is  located at 1135 Cunnigen Street,  Magnolia, MS 39652.  
If a player chooses to ride the Team Bus to the game in Magnolia, the player must return home on the bus unless given specific permission to do otherwise. Permission can only be granted by Commissioner David “Doc” Walker upon request by the parent of the player.
The Team Bus will leave the Court House Square in Woodville at 7:00 AM. The Team Bus will make a brief stop at the police department in Centreville and leave that location at 7:30 AM. 
And
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The “C” team game will start at 9:00 AM.  The “B” team will play after the “C” team, then the “A” team will play.  There is no running water, electricity, or bleacher seating at the location.  Attendees are encouraged to bring tents and lawn chairs. NO coolers, outside food or drinks are permitted. 

Strategy 5: Responding to Abuse,  Misconduct and  Policy Violations

1. The SafeSport Committee is responsible for monitoring the Wilk-Amite Youth  Football’s background check procedures and ensuing that the policies are adhered to. 
2. The SafeSport Committee may meet on an ad hoc basis whenever an allegation or suspicion of misconduct is reported. 
3. Upon receiving an allegation of bullying, hazing, harassment, physical misconduct or emotional misconduct, the SafeSport Committee will:
   1. Report the incident to authorities if warranted by the severity of the conduct
   2. Take appropriate action to address the conduct.
4. Upon receiving an allegation of child physical abuse or child sexual abuse:
   1. The SafeSport Committee will report any allegations of child physical abuse or child sexual abuse to the proper authorities.
   2. The SafeSport Committee will convene and immediately take steps to remove the volunteer from his or her position. Because the safety and well-being of the athletes are of paramount importance, no hearing is required and the Wilk-Amite Youth  Football Volunteer is not entitled to an opportunity to defend himself. The SafeSport Committee may simply notify the individual that he or she is no longer eligible to participate in the Wilk-Amite Youth  Football’s activities. The allegation and reason for dismissal may remain confidential as long as the incident it not reportable to a law enforcement agency.^[4]  
   3. Once the investigation by the authorities has concluded, the SafeSport

Reporting Policy

1. Misconduct as defined in the Wilk-Amite Youth  Football’s SafeSport Policy, and
2. Suspicions or allegations of child physical or sexual abuse regardless of whether the suspected activity took place at an official Wilk-Amite Youth  Football event.

1. The Wilk-Amite Youth  Football’s SafeSport Committee; and

2.Law enforcement authorities in accordance with state regulations

Grooming

Because sexual abusers “groom” children for abuse – the process used by offenders to select a child, to win the child’s trust (and the trust of the child’s parent or guardian), to manipulate the child into sexual activity and to keep the child from disclosing abuse – it is possible that Organization Volunteers may witness behavior intended to groom a child for sexual abuse. All questions or concerns related to inappropriate, suspicious or suspected grooming behavior should be directed to the SafeSport Committee. Examples of grooming behaviors include:7

1. The individual buys expensive gifts for the athlete or provides him or her with money.
2. The individual separates the athlete from his or her peers.
3. The individual treats a particular athlete differently from  teammates, perhaps giving the athlete far more attention than teammates.
4. The individual tries to find ways to be alone with the athlete. For example, the individual may offer to take the athlete to and from practice, help with homework or take him or her on unsupervised trips outside of the program.
5. The individual tells the athlete that he or she  “needs” him or her to succeed in sport.
6. The individual pushes boundaries in public and doesn’t follow policies. For example, this individual may have athletes sit on his or her laps in public, even if against club policy.
7. The individual manipulates the athlete emotionally, praising him or her one day and degrading him or her the next day.
8. The individual spends an unusual amount of time with the athlete’s parents outside of the program, trying to win the parent’s trust.
9. Your athlete tells you that the coach doesn’t want him or her talking about what they do when they’re together.
10. The individual attempts to control a particular athlete on and off the field.

Peer-to-Peer Sexual Abuse

Approximately 1/3 of all child sexual abuse occurs at the hands of other children, and the obligation to report extends to peer-to-peer child sexual abuse. Whether or not a sexual interaction between children constitutes child sexual abuse turns on the existence of an aggressor, the age difference between the children and/or whether there is an imbalance of power or intellectual capabilities. 
If you have any concerns that an interaction between children may constitute sexual abuse, report it to the appropriate law enforcement authorities and  Wilk-Amite Youth Football SafeSport Committee member.

Reporting Misconduct and Policy Violations

Reporting Procedure

To Whom to Report

How to Report

Reporting Form

Individuals reporting child physical or sexual abuse or other misconduct may complete an Incident Report Form. Information on this form will include (A copy of the Incident Report Form can be found in Appendix C):

1. The name(s) of the complainant(s);
2. The type of misconduct alleged;
3. The name(s) of the individual(s) alleged to have committed the misconduct;
4. The approximate dates the misconduct was committed;
5. The names of other individuals who might have information regarding the alleged misconduct; and
6. A summary statement of the reasons to believe that misconduct has occurred

Confidentiality, Anonymous Reporting and Bad Faith Allegations

Confidentiality

Anonymous Reporting

1. By completing the Reporting Form without including their name;
2. By expressing concerns verbally to Wilk-Amite Youth Football SafeSport  Committee member; or
3. Through email, texts or notes left for Wilk-Amite Youth Football SafeSport Committee member.

However, anonymous reporting may make it difficult for Wilk-Amite Youth Football to investigate or properly address allegations.
 
All suspicions of child physical or sexual abuse will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

“Whistleblower” Protection

Bad-Faith Allegations

How Reports Are Handled  

Suspicions or Allegations of Child Physical or Sexual Abuse

2. Immediate Suspension or Termination. When an allegation of child physical or sexual abuse is made against a Wilk-Amite Youth Football Volunteer, youth participant, and/or Administrator, the SafeSport Committee may immediately remove that individual from contact with any children in the program. 

Misconduct and Policy Violations

1. Emotional abuse;
2. Abuse reported outside the relevant statutes of limitation;
3. Allegations of abuse that were reported to authorities, but: (a) legal authorities did not press criminal charges; (b) criminal charges were filed, but not pursued to trial; or (c) the alleged offender was acquitted at trial.

Notification

Disciplinary Rules and Procedures

Application

1. Violations of the Wilk-Amite Youth Football’s policies; and/or
2. Child abuse (physical or sexual), where the SafeSport Committee’s actions will not undermine an ongoing legal investigation or criminal prosecution.

Disciplinary Rules

Disciplinary Action

1. Inform the individual’s coach, a board member, or in the case of a minor, the minor’s parent or guardian;
2. Provide the individual with guidance, redirection and instruction;
3. Temporary suspension from competition;
4. File a formal incident report;
5. Issue a verbal warning;
6. Issue a written and/or final written warning;
7. Provide informed supervision, where at least one volunteer is informed of the allegation and is instructed to supervised vigilantly the accused individual in his or her interactions with the program and/or organization (e.g., in the case of reports of bullying);
8. Engage in restorative practices (i.e., creation of a respectful and safe dialogue when a misunderstanding or harm has occurred); and
9. Suspend or terminating membership.

Ongoing Participation

Complainant Protection

Bad-Faith Allegations

1. That Wilk-Amite Youth Football has contacted the proper authorities
2. That Wilk-Amite Youth Football is taking appropriate steps through an internal process to address the issue
3. A request that the privacy of all of the individuals be respected through the duration of the proceedings

Strategy 6: Monitoring the Organization’s Policy    

Monitoring Compliance with Policies and Procedures

Monitoring Methods

Responding To Interactions

Reporting