The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 was signed into law in February 2018 and became effective immediately. The bill amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to extend the duty to report suspected child abuse, including sexual abuse, within 24 hours to all adults who are authorized to interact with minor or amateur athletes.
The Act defines "Child Abuse" as physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, or negligent treatment of a child.
The Act defines "Covered Individuals as any "...adult who is authorized by a national governing body or an amateur sports organization that participates in interstate or international amateur athletic competition, to interact with a minor or amateur athlete at an amateur sports organization facility or at any event sanctioned by a national governing body, a member of a national governing body, or such an amateur sports organization." In short.... we all, by being involved in youth soccer in the United States, are now defined as "Covered Individuals" and we are all now subject to the federal mandatory reporting law. The Act states a "...covered individual...who learns of facts that give reason to suspect that a child has suffered an incident of child abuse...and fails to make a timely report...shall be fined...or imprisoned....or both."
Both civil and criminal immunity is granted for those who, acting in good faith, make a report or otherwise provide information in connection with a report or any investigation that may ensue. Further, there is a presumption that these individuals have acted in good faith.
The US Center for SafeSport was launched in 2017. It is an independent, non-profit organization that provides the sports community with
- Specialized education, training and resources and
- Investigation and resolution of policy violations
For more on the US Center for Safe Sport click their logo to the right