I was just notified by USEF about the rollout of this program. I think this is a great idea. Training parents, and riders, to recognize abuse is a critical part of stopping it. At 30 min (for parents) and 15 min (for junior riders), that’s probably enough time to get key messages across and not make the training a burden. I’ll be interested in feedback from anyone who does take the training.
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I would love to see a push by trainers to get this information to their non-USEF member clients. Tack Stores and Feed Stores as well. There is a need to reach people who are not allied with USEF showing.
Just another way to just build awareness for issues that apply to ALL phases of life
I wish I knew then what I know now.
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Personally I think it’s pretty ridiculous that parents haven’t been required to take Safe Sport training. All horse owners are so hopefully most parents have been. Parents should be required to take the whole course just as many childless adult amateurs are.
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I’ve done it for my rowing club, as we’re housed in the same boathouse as a youth club. It was good training, particularly the information about what to do and where to go if you suspect something. The steps were pretty clearly outlined. As well, there was a large section on identifying and managing bullying behaviors.
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@Baybear, agree! I hope as amateurs we can get more parents, and juniors, to take the training. Talk it up when we can. I think there’s nothing but upside for these two groups to be more aware.
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What about making it something offered at school, as part of PE (phys ed for Aussies, gym class (?) for the US)
Here, PE or sports days are/were basically mandatory at every grade. 11 and 12 graders could (BIMD) pick a sport option for our Thursday morning all-school sessions. All us girls picked shooting, ironic enough. Boys played footy, girls went to the gun range. But gr 10 and under had mandatory Heath and PE, which included sexual health, nutrition, etc. classes. Nothing like a giggling grade of 15 yos cutting out pictures of genitals and going “who’s got a pink penis? Swap you for a green one!” (good times. No one got offended either and no parent cracked a sad over it).
My point being, could it be offered as a one-off class to school-aged kids as part of PE / gym / mandatory sports? In-between swapping rainbow coloured ovaries and fallopian tubes and prostates, our gym teacher would talk about boundaries and saying no and who we could talk to about inappropriate behaviour. I reckon it was the best lesson we ever had.
that is a good question. Considering, however, the push back on issues like sex ed and the like, I bet there would be push back on this.
At minimum the sections about bullying and hazing behaviors. I think the coaches in all sports, not just Olympic umbrella, should be required . Perhaps it is.
Do we have any HS coaches or admin here?
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My husband referees HS football and does not have to take it. He has never heard of it outside of when I do it.
Football is not an Olympic discipline.
I was responding to @hoopoe’s question about HS coaches. I know the reason is because it’s not under the Olympic umbrella, but he has much more indirect contact with minors than I do as an amateur dressage rider to rarely competes.
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Thanks @outerbanks77. That is correct info. I think the SS modules are very good. I am sure some coaches or schools make use of the modules , even if not required.
Would love to see it promoted more as a free tool that is available
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Should be extended to every registered sporting body, Olympic or not.
WTH? Parents and kids haven’t had to do this? I’ve had to do this when I have zero contact with lesson kids and the #$%^& lesson kids/junior riders haven’t? That’s eff’ed up.
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@red_mares, right? That’s why I want all of us to shout it out. We really need parents to get informed, and kids as well. I think anyone can take that training - I don’t think you have to be a USEF member. Pass the word! I would love for trainers to take the lead here, and get kids and parents to do this.
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I’m so sick of having to sit through all the SafeSport videos that clearly have NOTHING to do with an adult amateur competitor who has no contact with kids.
I want to know how and what to report should I see something at a show, but I don’t need to sit through videos explaining why sport is valuable for kids’ mental health, how not to put pressure on your kids in sport, etc.
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I agree! Competitor training is way too tedious and too long. Parent and kid training is much shorter, which is great. Raises a question about why the rest of us can’t just use the parent version.
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It should be the other way around. The parents should have to sit through all the gory details. The kids should sit through alt least half the gory details. All I need to know is to call CPS &/ the cops.
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