U.S. Figure Skating strives to provide a safe environment for its members and to protect the opportunity of its members to participate in the sport in an atmosphere that is free of harassment and abusive practices. The association will not tolerate or condone any form of harassment or abuse of any of its members including athletes, coaches, officials, directors, employees, parents, and volunteers or any other persons while they are participating in or preparing for a figure skating activity or event conducted under the auspices of U.S. Figure Skating.
There are many positive reasons to participate in figure skating, but like all sports, it can also be a high-risk environment for misconduct: emotional, physical, sexual, bullying, harassment and hazing. All forms of misconduct are unacceptable and in direct conflict with U.S. Figure Skating values and ideals. Misconduct may damage an athlete’s psychological well-being. Athletes who have been mistreated experience social embarrassment, emotional turmoil, psychological scars, and loss of self-esteem. Misconduct also may have a negative impact on family, friends and the sport. Misconduct often hurts an athlete’s competitive performance and may cause him or her to drop out of sport entirely.
The SkateSafe Handbook, originally created by the U.S. Olympic Committee and adapted by U.S. Figure Skating, includes various guidelines that apply to all U.S. Figure Skating programs, organizations and clubs, personnel, events, activities, conduct, and travel. It further includes the available and required SafeSkate Training of U.S. Figure Skating coaches, volunteers, officials, and staff members on recognizing and reducing circumstances for potential abuse to occur; information on U.S. Figure Skating’s required screening and background check program; the availability and procedures for any person to report suspected abuse or misconduct (including protections from any retaliation or repercussions for such reporting); the procedures and means by which U.S. Figure Skating and its member clubs and programs should respond to allegations of abuse and misconduct; and how U.S. Figure Skating and its member clubs and programs will monitor and supervise the SkateSafe Program to help ensure its effectiveness. The Shaker Figure Skating Club is a U.S. Figure Skating club.
Through the U.S. Figure Skating SkateSafe Program, U.S. Figure Skating and the Shaker Figure Skating Club are committed to providing the safest possible environment for all participants.
SKATESAFE PROGRAM RESOURCES
U.S. Figure Skating SkateSafe Information (HTML)
- USFS SkateSafe Handbook (PDF)
- USFS Club SkateSafe Compliance Chair, job description (PDF)
- USFS Roles Requiring SkateSafe Compliance (HTML)
- USFS How To Complete SafeSport Training for SkateSafe Compliance (PDF)
- Report a Concern to U.S. Figure Skating (HTML)
U.S. Center for SafeSport (HTML)
- USCS SafeSport Code Handbook (HTML)
- USCS Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (HTML)
- USCS Resources for Parents (HTML)
- USCS Resources for Coaches (HTML)
- USCS Parent & Guardian’s Handbook For Safer Sport (HTML)
- USCS SafeSport Training Resources (HTML)
- Report a Concern to the U.S. Center for SafeSport (HTML)
Link to find State Laws for reporting (HTML)
ATHLETE PROTECTION POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
U.S. Figure Skating Rules & Policies (HTML)
- USFS Code of Ethics (PDF)
- USFS Code of Conduct (PDF)
- USFS SkateSafe Handbook (PDF)
- USFS Gender Policy (PDF)
- USFS Non-Discrimination Policy (PDF)
- USFS Coach Compliance Requirements (HTML)