Policy Statement
Adaptive Sports New England (ASNE) is committed to the safety and well-being of all athletes and others who participate in our programs. This Policy is designed to create a safe and positive environment that is free of misconduct, which includes but is not limited to bullying, hazing, harassment (including sexual harassment), emotional misconduct and physical misconduct. A sample of prohibited conduct is listed in Section 3 of this document. The specific definitions that will be applied are attached at Appendix A. Additional details regarding each type of misconduct can be found in the SafeSport Code for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement (www.safesport.org). This policy supports the SafeSport Code for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. ASNE is designated by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) as a Paralympic Sport Club.
Along with this commitment, ASNE establishes the following policy that applies to our employees, contractual staff, coaches, guides, volunteers, interns and athletes.
- Criminal Background Checks:
ASNE shall conduct criminal background checks for all employed and contracted staff and volunteers who are in a position over, or have frequent contact with, participants. This includes applicable employees, contractual staff, coaches, guides, volunteers and interns who have direct and/or unsupervised access to athletes. The background checks will be conducted at least every two years however, ASNE reserves the right to conduct such background checks at greater frequency in its sole discretion.
- Education and Training:
Effective with the issuance of this policy, ASNE shall require education and training concerning the key elements of this Policy and the USOC SafeSport program for applicable employees, contractual staff, coaches, guides, volunteers and interns who have direct and/or unsupervised access to athletes. Training will include, at a minimum, a review of this Policy and proof of successful completion of the USOC SafeSport training.
- Prohibited Conduct:
Certain conduct is not acceptable in any ASNE-sponsored or facilitated event. A non-exhaustive list of that conduct can be found below, and more complete definitions are located in Exhibit A. Importantly, in interpreting each of these forms of prohibited conduct, ASNE assumes there is always an imbalance of power between a coach and an athlete.
- Bullying
- Hazing
- Harassment (including Sexual Harassment)
- Emotional Abuse or Misconduct
- Physical Misconduct
- Sexual Misconduct
- Inappropriate Romantic or Sexual Relationships
- Other Forms of Misconduct.
Additional details regarding each type of misconduct can be found in Exhibit A, as well as in the SafeSport Code for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement (www.safesport.org). Again, please note that this is not an exhaustive listing of the various forms of prohibited conduct and ASNE reserves the right to prohibit any form of conduct that is detrimental to its participants.
- Reporting:
Any individual who wishes to file a complaint or accusation of misconduct against any ASNE employee or affiliate, must do so in writing and direct it to the ASNE Ethics Officer who can be contacted at directly via e-mail at email hidden; JavaScript is required. ASNE also trains its staff to follow mandatory reporting obligations to local law enforcement authorities or other child service authorities, i.e., the Massachusetts Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Reports of abuse not involving a minor will also typically be reported to local authorities.
- Complaint Review:
Once a report is made pursuant to Section 4 of this Policy, the Ethics Officer will review the report to determine if it implicates this Policy. If it does, the Ethics Officer will follow the steps outlined in Appendix B of this document.
In cases where the Ted Stevens Act applies, ASNE will comply with the Act’s requirements.
Additional Terms of This Policy:
ASNE shall be guided by the principle that the health, safety and well-being of athletes affiliated with ASNE are fundamental elements of our managerial responsibility.