U.S. Center for SafeSport
The U.S. Center for SafeSport is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created in 2017 to reduce the sexual abuse of athletes, particularly minors, in Olympic sports programs in the United States.
| Nickname | SafeSport |
|---|---|
| Formation | March 2017 (6 years ago) |
| Type | 501(c)(3) organization |
| Purpose | Addressing sexual abuse of minors and amateur athletes in the U.S. in Olympic sports. |
| Location |
|
| Origins | Established under the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 |
Region served | United States |
| Services | Assess sexual abuse and sexual misconduct complaints; impose sanctions, up to lifetime bans; provide public central database of disciplinary cases |
Chief Executive Officer | Ju'Riese Colón |
| 12 independent board members | |
Budget (2023) | $21 million |
| Funding | US Olympic & Paralympic Committee, national governing bodies, a federal grant, etc. |
Staff (2023) | 117 |
Volunteers (2020) | 3 |
| Website | uscenterforsafesport |
The Center was established under the auspices of the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017, which was a response to revelations of widespread sexual assaults in women's gymnastics programs. The organization investigates allegations of sexual misconduct, emotional abuse, bullying, and harassment by people and organizations associated with U.S. Olympic-sports programs. It, rather than the U.S. Olympic Committee or individual sports' governing bodies, has exclusive jurisdiction over such allegations. It may impose certain sanctions, up to banning of a person from involvement in Olympic sports, and maintains a public database of sanctioned individuals.
The Center cannot indict or jail people accused of sexual misconduct, as it is neither a law enforcement agency nor a legal body of the U.S. judiciary; however, it can forward its investigations to state and federal courts, which in turn can impose criminal penalties on the defendants. SafeSport collaborates with law enforcement on investigations.
As of October 2021, the Center had sanctioned 1,100 people.
In May 2023, SafeSport reported that it was receiving 150 reports per week, or about 8,000 per year, and had an annual budget of $21 million and a staff of 117 people.