The U.S. Center for SafeSport (the Center) is an independent organization that helps prevent and respond to abuse and misconduct in sport. They oversee policies related to athlete safety and handle reports of sexual misconduct and other serious violations within the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.

All Participants fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Center for SafeSport. 

Adult Participant Definition: 

An Adult Participant is any adult (18 years of age or older) who is: 

• A member or license holder of USA Lacrosse, its member programs, or the USOPC;
• An employee or board member of USA Lacrosse, its member programs, or the USOPC;
• Within the governance or disciplinary jurisdiction of USA Lacrosse, its member programs, or the USOPC; or
• Authorized, approved, or appointed by USA Lacrosse, its member programs, or the USOPC to have regular contact with or authority over minor athletes. 

All USA Lacrosse members are considered Participants. In addition, certain individual (such as volunteers) may also be considered Participants under this definition, even if they are not USA Lacrosse members. 

What this means: 

• All applicable Participants must follow the SafeSport Code,
• All applicable Adult Participants must also follow Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP), and Mandatory Reporting requirements.
• The Center has exclusive jurisdiction over reports of sexual misconduct, and discretionary jurisdiction over physical and emotional misconduct, as well as violations of the MAAPP.

The SafeSport Code outlines:

• Prohibited behaviors (such as sexual misconduct, abuse, harassment, and retaliation)
• Reporting responsibilities
• How reports are reviewed and resolved 

Violations of the Code can result in disciplinary action, including suspension or permanent ineligibility.

• Any suspicions or allegations of child abuse (including physical or sexual abuse) must be reported to law enforcement and the Center.
• Any prohibited conduct under the SafeSport Code must be reported to the Center.
• Reports of emotional or physical misconduct, or violations of the MAAPP, must be reported to USA Lacrosse. These may also be reported to the Center, which has discretionary jurisdiction over these matters.
• Each Adult Participant with knowledge of or reasonable suspicion of misconduct is required to file a report; reporting by one person does not remove the reporting responsibility for others who are aware.
• This applies even if you are unsure or heard about it from someone else.
• Your role to report, not to investigate. 

While all Adult Participants are Mandatory Reporters, reports may be submitted by anyone to the Center or USA Lacrosse, regardless of their role.

Reports can be made directly to the Center:

• Through their online reporting form
• By phone via their helpline 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233) 

Reports can also be submitted to USA Lacrosse through the online reporting portal.

• Sexual abuse or assault
• Sexual harassment
• Grooming behaviors
• Any sexual misconduct involving a minor
• Any prohibited conduct under the SafeSport Code
• MAAPP Violations 

When in doubt: report.

MAAPP stands for Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies. 

The MAAPP limits one-on-one adult to minor interactions and sets standards for training and sports setting that prevent abuse and misconduct. 

Learn more about the MAAPP at https://maapp.uscenterforsafesport.org/

All Adult Participants must follow the MAAPP when interacting with minor athletes. 

These policies include, but are not limited to:

• One-on-one interactions (must be observable and interruptible)
• Electronic communication 
• Travel and lodging arrangements 
• Locker rooms and changing areas

Some Adult Participants may be required to complete SafeSport training as an annual requirement. 

What to know:

• Training requirements will vary depending on role or level of involvement
• More information will be shared as requirements are finalized 
• USA Lacrosse will notify individuals in applicable roles of any required training

These policies:

• Help create a safer sport environment
• Set clear expectations for behavior
• Support the safety of all participants

If you’re unsure, it’s always best to report. The Center or USA Lacrosse will determine whether the matters falls within their authority.

The Center will:

• Review the report • Determine whether it falls under their jurisdiction
• Investigate if appropriate
• Issue findings and any necessary sanctions 

USA Lacrosse may also act within its policies as appropriate, which may include reviewing the matter and implementing interim or administrative measures. As mandatory reporters, USA Lacrosse may also report matters to the Center and local law enforcement when required.

Ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all athletes is of utmost importance to USA Lacrosse. Background screening is a proactive, preventative tool that is imperative to restricting access within youth serving organizations from those with ulterior motives.

Yes. USA Lacrosse offers adult official members the voluntary option of a background screening.

There is no cost to member coaches or officals for the background screening service. USA Lacrosse covers these costs which can normally range anywhere from $20-$75 depending on an individual's state of residence.

Background screenings for USA Lacrosse are completed exclusively by the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI), one of the nation’s leading providers of background screening services. NCSI was created in partnership with the National Council of Youth Sports, which represents more than 60 million participants and is recognized as one of the most influential sports advocacy organizations in the country. NCSI currently works with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and more than 50 national governing bodies in providing background screenings. For more information, please visit www.ncsisafe.com.

Clubs, schools, civic organizations, or employers complete background screenings that vary in type, resulting in differing degrees of thoroughness. NCSI's background screening utilizes consistent standards with similar levels of thoroughness for all coach and official members, ensuring that screening is uniform regardless of current occupation or state of residence.

Adult coach members will receive an e-mail after completing the join/renew process for membership. This e-mail contains a link to complete the free national background screening through NCSI. This link is unique to each coach member and should not be shared and given to any other individual. Coach members will have 15 calendar days to initiate the background screening process upon joining or renewing membership. Coaches should complete the background screening using a desktop or laptop computer, as the process may not function properly on a mobile device. The following items will be needed:

1. Government issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.);
2. List of addresses lived over the past five years;
3. Your social security number.

NCSI uses strict identity verification methods in order to ensure that background screens are thorough and for the correct individual. The required SSN is only used for identity verification, and is not utilized in any other manner (ie: credit reports). USA Lacrosse does not have access to any personal information that is provided to NCSI for the background screening, and NCSI employs multiple safeguards and security measures to protect personal information that is provided. For more information on NCSI and its security measures, please visit www.nscisafe.com. A typical screening takes 3-5 business days, although some can take up to 10 days. USA Lacrosse strongly recommends that you complete your background screening as early as possible before the start of your season.

All communications from NCSI will come by email. Coaches should monitor their email inbox, including spam and junk folders, after submitting their application.

Background screenings completed by NCSI will yield two possible outcomes:

Green Light "meets the criminal history and, if applicable, driving privilege criteria" utilized, where registrant has no record or has an arrest/conviction for a non-criterion offense. -- or --

Red Light "does NOT meet the initial screening criteria: utilized, where registrant has a pending charge and/or conviction of a criterion offense.

If your background screening yields a Red Light determination, your USA Lacrosse membership and all associated benefits will immediately be suspended. Through NCSI you will be given the opportunity to dispute erroneous findings prior to the time of the issuance of the red light. If you do not dispute NCSI’s findings, you will receive notification of your membership suspension by e-mail from NCSI on behalf of USA Lacrosse. This e-mail will also provide information on the required USA Lacrosse Membership Appeals process.

Through USA Lacrosse you may submit an appeal per the instruction furnished to you. This appeal must be submitted within 20 days of receiving the Red Light determination. Based on the outcome of the appeal, your USAL membership may be reinstated, or your membership could be revoked permanently. Each Red Light determination is handled on a case-by-case basis.

For any further questions regarding your membership or background screenings, please contact the USA Lacrosse Member Experience team at 410-235-6882 x102, or the USA Lacrosse Athlete Protection & Safety Manager at 410-235-6882 x225. For more information about the appeals process, please review the USA Lacrosse Appeals document.