Safesport Information
SafeSport & MAAPP Overview
The U.S. Center for SafeSport consists of 2 Primary bodies of law:
- SafeSport (focused on preventing abuse and misconduct)
- Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP)
Recent federal legislative updates reinforce that all adults involved in youth sports are now mandatory reporters. Any concerns of abuse must be reported promptly and through the appropriate channels.
USA Hockey Safe Sport Program: https://www.usahockey.com/SAFESPORTPROGRAM
Amateur Sports Governance Updates
To protect our athletes, one-on-one interactions must occur only in open and observable areas - windows uncovered, doors open, and conversations both audible and visible to others.
MWAHA SafeSport Reporting Trends
MWAHA ranks in the top five nationally for the number of USA Hockey Safe Sport reports. As such, we must be especially proactive in maintaining a safe environment. Prohibited behaviors include:
- Being alone with a minor (1-on-1 contact)
- Entering locker rooms without proper supervision
- Engaging in private electronic or social media communication with minors
Reporting Misconduct
USA Hockey’s philosophy is simple: Report. Report. Report.
Did you know that the average time to resolve a SafeSport report submitted to USA Hockey is approximately 41 days? This timeframe reflects a number of factors, including the initial triage process to determine the appropriate governing body, scheduling constraints, and the complexity of individual cases.
When reports are submitted through the SafeSport reporting tool, they begin at the national level and must be routed to the appropriate regional body - in our case, MWAHA. From there, MWAHA often engages the local affiliate to manage and investigate the situation further.
To help reduce the current average resolution time of 41 days, WYHA is committed to a streamlined and clearly defined reporting process, which can be started here. Our goal is to provide you with an efficient and transparent way to report any concerns directly to us, allowing for quicker action and coordination.
Please note that all reports submitted to WYHA will also be forwarded to MWAHA, in accordance with our required reporting obligations.
SafeSport-related issues include:
- Emotional or physical misconduct
- Harassment, hazing, or threats
- Sexual misconduct or abuse
Please note that issues such as playing time, parent conduct, officiating disputes, roster errors, or general competition concerns do not fall under SafeSport jurisdiction.
We are committed to providing a safe, supportive environment for all WYHA athletes, families, and volunteers. Thank you for helping us uphold these standards with diligence and care.