Welcome to Safe Sport at Wisconsin Swimming!
The purpose of the Wisconsin Swimming Safe Sport Committee is to oversee the implementation of USA Swimming Safe Sport program at the LSC and Club level.
What is Safe Sport?
Born out of a desire and need to keep athletes safe, in 2010, USA Swimming took the initiative to create the Safe Sport program for its members. Today, the program has grown into a comprehensive abuse prevention program which consists of a multi-layered approach to ensuring safety in and out of the water. The goal of Safe Sport is to provide a healthy and positive swimming environment free from abuse for all its members.
USA SWIMMING SAFE SPORT FOR PARENTS
SAFE SPORT AT SWIM MEETS AND EVENTS
What is Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP 2.0)?
One of the ways sport organizations are required to safeguard their athletes, is by implementing the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP 2.0). Created by the US Center for SafeSport, America’s federally authorized independent safe sport organization, the goal of MAAPP 2.0 is to help keep young athletes safe from abouse and harm. All Clubs within Wisconsin Swimming, as part of the USA Swimming, are required to implement MAAPP 2.0 in full. This means that all athletes, parents/legal guardians, coaches, and any other USA Swimming non-athlete members (e.g., officials) are required to review and agree in writing annually to uphold the MAAPP policy.
USA SWIMMING MAAPP POLICY DOCUMENT
What is Safe Sport Club Recognition Program?
USA Swimming Safe Sport has created a Safe Sport Club Recognition Program to promote a culture that fosters physical and psychosocial safety of everyone involved in swimming. While the program is not yet required for clubs by the USA Swimming, the rumor has it that it will be in a not-too-distant future. As an LSC, let’s make Wisconsin 100% Safe Sport recognized sooner rather than later!
To get your club started:
- Watch the video (above) from USA Swimming Safe Sport outlining steps required to complete the Safe Sport Recognition Application.
- Email Wisconsin Swimming Safe Sport Chair (monna@wisconsinswimming.org) of your plans to get started.
- Assign a designated person(s) to lead the Safe Sport Recognition Application in the SWIMS platform.
- Create a timeline for Safe Sport Recognition Application completion. As with everything (including swimming & getting your club Safe Sport recognized), setting specific and time-bound goals helps us keep ourselves accountable and achieve our targets!
- Identify the best way to complete the mandatory Safe Sport Training for coaches, athletes, parents/legal guardians, and other non-athlete USA Swimming members. Be creative! Arrange a team pizza party for the athletes? A parent social with a charcuterie board?
- Review and submit your Safe Sport Recognition Application.
GETTING STARTED - USEFUL GUIDANCE TO WISCONSIN SWIMMING CLUBS
USA SWIMMING SAFE SPORT CLUB RECOGNITION
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION (WRITTEN)
USA SWIMMING UNIVERSITY (TRAINING LINKS)
WISCONSIN SWIMMING SAFE SPORT RECOGNIZED CLUBS
How to Report a Concern?
When it comes to physical and psychosocial safety in sport, it is important for all of us to be able to RECOGNIZE and RESPOND to potential safety concern. Making a decision to report a concern can be intimidating and stressful. USA Swimming provides excellent guidelines to help you on the first step “where do I report?”. If in doubt, your first contact can always be Wisconsin Swimming Safe Sport (Safe_Sport@wisconsinswimming.org)
Where Can I Get Support?
Being a victim of abuse is stressful and no doubt overwhelming. It is important for victims and their families to know that they are not alone. USA Swimming, US Center for SafeSport, and The Army of Survivors have created numerous resources that can be helpful for victims of abuse and their loved ones.
USA SWIMMING SUPPORT AND RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS
US CENTER FOR SAFESPORT RESOURCES
How to Get in Touch with Wisconsin Swimming Safe Sport?
To contact Wisconsin Swimming Safe Sport Chair, Dr. Monna Arvinen-Barrow, email: monna@wisconsinswimming.org
To report a potential Safe Sport Concern, email: Safe_Sport@wisconsinswimming.org
