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Safe Sport Initiative

Hunter/Jumper
#1

Today, as a l![](censed official, I received this letter from the USEF regarding the Safe Sport Initiative.
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[TD]Dear USEF Licensed Official,

								The issues behind the SafeSport initiative are tough subjects that need to be addressed.  Due to the sensitivity of these topics, there is a natural tendency to shy away from having these difficult discussions.  However, the time has come for US Equestrian to take the lead in educating our officials, members, parents, athletes, and their support teams in order to make everyone a part of protecting our members and our sport.  

								Every 98 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. And every eight minutes, that victim is a child. On average, there are 321,500 victims, aged 12 and older, of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States ([I]<a href="http://rainn.org/">RAINN.org</a>[/I]). Only 32% of sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement ([I]Bureau of Justice Statistics[/I], Criminal Victimization, 2015).

								With the current news, and with the advent of grassroots social media campaigns such as [I]#metoo[/I], sexual misconduct is being brought to light in all social circles, all sports, and sometimes where it is least expected: in churches, schools, athlete programs, and, yes, even at horse shows and events.

								The <a href="http://links.usef.mkt7856.com/ctt?kn=10&ms=MTIzNjYzOTkS1&r=MjMzODA3MjEwNDY2S0&b=0&j=MTI4MTQyMjg0NwS2&mt=1&rt=0">SafeSport Policy</a> can empower you, as an official and gatekeeper for horse and human welfare at equestrian competitions, to protect and serve the equestrian community – to actively engage and assist in spreading the word. The intent of the <a href="http://links.usef.mkt7856.com/ctt?kn=15&ms=MTIzNjYzOTkS1&r=MjMzODA3MjEwNDY2S0&b=0&j=MTI4MTQyMjg0NwS2&mt=1&rt=0">SafeSport initiative</a> is to provide information, resources, and a protocol so that officials, members, parents, athletes, and their support teams have the awareness, tools, and support structure to ensure a safe and positive environment for equestrian athletes of all ages.

								SafeSport represents a proactive stance against sexual violence and other abuse and for safety in our sport, across all breeds and disciplines, not just those at the Olympic level. It is not about a requirement; it is about changing the culture so that we are all part of protecting others, our children, and ourselves.

								SafeSport and background checks help to empower you, as licensed officials of the equine community. SafeSport training is available to you at no cost through the USEF, and for less than three cents per day, your background check can provide peace of mind to your clients.

								Through a recent partnership formed with <a href="http://links.usef.mkt7856.com/ctt?kn=4&ms=MTIzNjYzOTkS1&r=MjMzODA3MjEwNDY2S0&b=0&j=MTI4MTQyMjg0NwS2&mt=1&rt=0">RAINN</a>, the nation's largest organization against sexual violence, SafeSport now provides a 24-hour victim services helpline for those experiencing sexual violence.

								If you have not yet completed or refreshed your <a href="http://links.usef.mkt7856.com/ctt?kn=9&ms=MTIzNjYzOTkS1&r=MjMzODA3MjEwNDY2S0&b=0&j=MTI4MTQyMjg0NwS2&mt=1&rt=0">SafeSport training</a>, we encourage you to do so.

								Thank you for your support and your willingness to confront and hopefully prevent these issues. Thank you for being willing to engage in the tough conversations and for being part of the movement to protect your fellow equestrians.

								With Regards,

[IMG]http://contentz.mkt7856.com/ra/2017/28428/11/12366399/Bill%20Moroney%20signature4.jpg)
William J. Moroney
Chief Executive Officer, US Equestrian[/TD]
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[/INDENT] This was my response to USEF:

"Dear USEF,

As a licensed official, USEF member, and mother I fully support the Safe Sport Initiative. However the judges and stewards are not the ones with our athletes early in the mornings, late at night, or in the barn. Our professional trainers, coaches and riders are the ones who interact most closely with our athletes and who have the most opportunity to create an appropriate environment or become guilty of bullying, abuse, or misconduct, sexual or otherwise.

Why is it not absolutely mandatory for those with the closest relationships with our athletes to complete Safe Sport Training? I see no reason this should not and cannot become mandatory immediately. If abuse has not happened to us, we all know someone to whom it has happened.

Let’s become part of the solution, not cover up the problem by targeting the wrong audience while appearing to be taking action.

The very best,

Dina Mazzola "

If you support the idea of requiring all professionals to complete Safe Sport Training please let the USEF know!!

#2

Thank you! I am also a licensed official and have done the training. I was told that we were the easiest targets to show compliance since we already need to take a rules test every three years. As a judge, my interactions with competitors are typically only in an official capacity surrounded by many others. Trainers and coaches have a much greater potential for abuse. There must be a better solution.

#3

Exactly - as judges we are in fact told NOT to interact with exhibitors! Now many of us have training businesses and we can certainly take the training with us but we are a small fraction of professionals.

2 Likes
#4

There is a rule change proposal in the works that would require any professional who signs an entry form as a coach or trainer to go through the safe sport training and also undergo a background check. As we licensed officials already do. The proposed new rule has an exception for parents who sign the form for their minor children.

I think the proposed rule has merit, although I am afraid it could discourage new people from going to their first USEF shows. I think it could be improved with an exception for the Outreach divisions, and also a limited number of shows each year. What happens if someone turns up at their first USEF show and doesn’t know about these requirements? Maybe they could allow, say, five shows a year before the requirement kicks in for the sixth show.

1 Like
#5

Here is the rule change proposal:

GR1302 Duties

  1. Every exhibitor, rider, driver, handler and trainer or his/her agent(s) must sign an entry blank (see GR404 and GR908.2). In the case of a rider, driver or handler under 18, his/her parent or guardian, or if not available, the trainer, must sign an entry blank on the minor’s behalf.

  2. In order to participate in any Federation Licensed Competition, any person who is a Professional or acts as a Trainer or Coach as defined by the Federation rules, shall (i) comply with the Federation Safe Sport Policy, including successfully completing a criminal background check and Federation-approved Safe Sport training, in accordance with such Policy; (ii) complete a Federation-approved concussion training; and (iii) complete a Federation-approved test on Equine Drugs and Medications basics. Parents or legal guardians who are not Professionals under the Federation rules but act as Trainer or Coach on behalf of their Junior are exempt from this rule.

https://prc.usef.org/documents/ruleChanges/2017/Proposals/266-17.pdf

3 Likes
#6

Do you know HOW MANY harassment trainings I go through every year in my regular job!? Probably WAY more than SafeSport. And now I need to add another just so I can sign as a coach?

And since I work in a hospital, actually I do take training in drugs and medications (as part of my clinical research). This rule becomes absolutely unwieldy to those of us who coach riders for the love of it, not as “professionals.” Yes, I am considered a “pro” by the USEF rules, but I promise you, I have had more annual EEOC, OSHA, NIOSH, EPA, AHA, HAZMAT, Blood Borne Pathogen, Chemical Safety, Radiation, Evidence Handling, training than any pro out there. Can I just send my 3 ring binder of annual certifications?

Should I also include my ITAR certification, FBI dossier, as well as findings from the multiple opposing legal firms who investigate me?

3 Likes
#7

So sorry that the safety of others might inconvenience you.

Not every person in the horse world has your credentials.

7 Likes
#8

What does “successfully complete a background check” really mean? I know of a trainer who is currently on probation for selling meth yet he still coaches minors. Would the new rule mean he fails the background check?

3 Likes
#9

I would hope so. I think it covers all criminal activity. I don’t know if it would show civil issues, like lawsuits.

Officials have to do the safe sport training and pass a background check every couple of years.

1 Like
#10

There are plenty of horse people who do, they just don’t brag about it openly like RAyers does

#11

Will you need to have it to sign as trainer for yourself on your own horse?

1 Like
#12

I don’t think he is bragging. All of these certifications are time consuming and expensive.

And as for Stormy Day- that’s just plain rude.

3 Likes
#13

The way it is written at the moment, yes.

But bear in mind that this is a rule change proposal from an INDIVIDUAL, not USEF, nor any of its committees or affiliates. This means that the probability of it being passed unmodified is relatively small…

#14

So I have a better idea for a rule change. Forget about entry blanks and sifting out parents and amateurs and people who sign for themselves. Too complicated. How about this?

When you renew your membership each year and your status is professional, you must complete the Safe Sport Training before you are renewed. The software and code is already in place, since this is how it already works for judges and other licensed officials. There are no added costs to the member. So this is relatively easy and cost effective to implement, and the onus on the USEF not a horse show secretary. Its also proactive not reactive.

Concussion training is probably an excellent idea too, as well as background checks. I’d love to NOT have drug dealers and sex offenders involved in the industry. But lets go for one step at a time. and try to protect our athletes and our children. I’m not sure on the legality of requiring members to pay for background checks to be a member, and all a background check does is call out those who made mistakes and got caught. This is a whole other issue and distracts from the goal of protecting our young, mostly female, athletes from bullying, sexual misconduct and sexual abuse.

Thoughts??

6 Likes
#15

I litigate Title VII cases. I have to take Title VII training at literally every employer (which is more than one) nonetheless. I’m not complaining. The training needs to be for everyone if it’s going to have the intended effect. I’ll happily sit through one more slideshow telling me NOT to grope my coworkers because even though I don’t need it… apparently some people do…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZqdeeKVoBc

5 Likes
#16

I saw a FB post by a BNT in a certain discipline that (regarding a different rule) starting a “We’ll just stop signing as trainers”, even though they damn well are. And LOTS of BNTs agreed. I keep meaning to ask COTH about that…

How does that work? Someone IS the trainer but doesn’t sign as such. Therefore would not have to submit to the background check etc?

I have to sit through trainings for my clinical job as well. Online, they are less painful :slight_smile: ETA: there is an adult who works with a local PC, adults who train etc for official PC are required to have background checks. He has refused for background checks (why this isn’t a red flag for some parents is a whole 'nother topic) He doesn’t list as trainer officially but still works around kids. The smart parents pulled out of the PC…

#17

I’m not saying that the Safe Sport Initiative is a bad idea or that there isn’t a sound rationale for some kind of training for professionals. It’s got to start someplace, I guess.

It’s just that, practically speaking, is this going to accomplish anything? It’s not like trainers don’t know that it’s wrong to have sex with their minor clients. It’s not like there’s anyone who doesn’t know sexual abuse is wrong. Professionals who do these things do them because they know they can get away with it. Do you really think making them take some kind of training about how they shouldn’t harass their underage female clients is going to change that?

It seems to me that if we really want to change things, it’s the potential victims and their parents who need to be educated and empowered and there needs to be a way to get people to speak up in some meaningful way. The situation in the horse industry is just like the situation in Hollywood and in Congress: people know, but they don’t speak up because the powerful offenders can ruin their careers. That is the problem we need to solve.

1 Like
#18

Isn’t that how people are skirting drugging responsibility now, just having someone else sign as “trainer”? Not sure why they wouldn’t just send a random groom or whomever to SafeSport training and make them sign for this, too.

I’m fairly sure I commented on the rule proposal online, because I went to comment on one specific rule change, and ended up clicking through and commenting on quite a few of them. In theory, it’s a great idea, because we don’t want meth dealers coaching our children. But how that works out in reality, with people other than the actual trainer signing the blanks, and people signing their own entries (which I do myself sometimes, when I show without my trainer along), isn’t so cut and dried. It does make a good argument for certified instructors, who should have this sort of thing integrated into that program through the USHJA/USDF/USEA to certify them.

#19

So throw the baby out with the bathwater? My first trainer who really got me into riding was an ex addict and ex drug dealer. Fabulous person, amazing trainer, but I would of never known if he/she hadn’t told me. People do desperate things at desperate times. If something were to be done I think drug testing for people would be more effective than holding stuff against someone from a long time in their past.

We cant act like drugs and not around in the show scene. Im not concerned about pot but the hard stuff like coke.

#20

Agreed.

As I took the training (as a licensed official) I thought “the people who REALLY need to see this are the PARENTS of the children riding and competing.”

Which is exactly the group exempted in the rule change proposal.

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