Please take the time to read this information in its entirety as it contains important updates regarding SafeSport training and compliance as it pertains to minor athletes.
USA Judo is committed to promoting a safe environment for all participants, athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and staff. As such, USA Judo has developed and adopted the following polices to promote a safe competitive environment in partnership with coaches, parents, athletes. and the US Center for SafeSport (the "Center").
Summary of Updates to USA Judo's SafeSport Policy
- Reporting of any reasonable suspicious or suspected child abuse should be made to the Center immediately and made to the local law enforcement agency or chiId protective services agency within 24-hours.
- Aligning USA Judo's definition of prohibited conduct by covered individuals with the Center's definition.
- Covered individuals are required to complete core awareness training and then an athlete safety refresher course on an annual basis to remain in good standing with USA Judo. Per the Center, Effective September 1, 2019, all SafeSport certifications are only valid for one year. After the initial training session is completed, a "Refresher" course must be taken each year thereafter. If you completed the most current course before September 1, 2019 then you have the original 2 year expiration date. If you have any questions on your expiration date, you can view them in your USA Judo Member Profile or contact Austin Leath at the National Office (Austin.leath@usajudo.us or 719-866-3621).
Minor Athlete Abuse Policy "MAAP"
The The Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies were created and designed to set training requirements and limit one-on-one interactions between adult members of national governing bodies or Paralympic sports organizations who have regular contact with minor athletes as required by Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017.
Federal law authorizes the Center to address the risk of emotional physical and sexual abuse of amateur athletes in the US Olympic and Paralympic Movements.
National Governing Bodies must offer and give consistent training related to the prevention of child abuse to:
- (1) adult members who are in regular contact with amateur athletes who are minors and;
- (2) subject to parental consent to members who are minors.
National Governing Bodies must implement reasonable procedures to limit one-on-one interactions between an amateur athlete who's a minor and an adult (who is not the minor's legal guardian) at a facility under the jurisdiction of a National Governing Body without being in an observable and interruptible distance from another adult except under emergency circumstances.
MAAP Frequently Asked Questions
US Center for SafeSport Code
USA Judo Members are also strongly encouraged to review the Center's SafeSport Code found here:
If you have questions related to USA Judo's SafeSport Policy, the US Center for SafeSport Code or MAAP, please contact Corinne Shigemoto, Director of Membership & Events at Corinne.Shigemoto@usajudo.us or 719-201-6176.
Thank you for your attention to these important changes.