Today, USA Lacrosse joins organizations from across the country as well as around the world in recognizing International Safe Sport Day 2025, a day dedicated to promoting safety, respect, and well-being in all areas of sport.
Whether on the field, on the sidelines, or behind the scenes, it's our shared responsibility to ensure every athlete, coach, official, and volunteer is protected from abuse, harassment, and misconduct.
Launched in 2020, Safe Sport Day - August 8 - is designed to both celebrate progress and motivate new commitments to athlete protection. From grassroots clubs to global federations, the annual day seeks to serve as a reminder to everyone that they can help make a difference.
Ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all participants is of utmost importance to USA Lacrosse. Setting clear expectations for behavior, boundaries, and accountability, across all levels, creates a trusting environment and strengthens the future of the game.
“A core principle of USA Lacrosse's Athlete Protection & Safety Program is that abuse or misconduct of any kind has no place in sport, and efforts to prevent and address it are an important part of creating a safer environment,” said Abby Morris, manager of athlete protection at USA Lacrosse.
In recent years, USA Lacrosse has developed a number of tools and resources to help support a safe and healthy lacrosse environment, including mandatory background screenings for all adult member coaches and online abuse prevention training, among other things.
“Creating a safer environment starts with education, awareness, and shared responsibility,” Morris said. “At USA Lacrosse, we're committed to supporting abuse prevention efforts and helping our community understand their role in protecting athletes. We encourage everyone involved in the game to take some time today to learn how they can contribute to a safer sport experience. When safety is prioritized, it creates a space for real development, both on and off the field.”
Additional resources, including the USA Lacrosse Athlete Protection & Safety Policy and the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy, as well as an abuse reporting portal, can be accessed at usalacrosse.com/athlete-protection.
Click here to learn more about Safe Sport Day 2025 and to support the global movement to safeguard all sports.
