Donate Become a Member
×

Additional Searches

  • Search Rulebook
  • Search Forms & Pubs
  • Search Horses
  • Search People
  • Search Calendar
  • Search Officials
  • Search Secretaries & Managers
  • Search Farms
  • Search Ineligibility List
Search
  • Log In
  • Learn
  • Horse Welfare
  • Compete
  • Safe Sport
  • USEF Network
  • News
  • Shop
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Breeds & Disciplines
  • Our Affiliates
  • Learning Center
  • Start Riding
  • Youth Programs
  • Interscholastic Programs
  • Education Partners
  • Community Outreach Programs
  • Careers
  • A Good Life for Horses
  • Getting to Know Horses
  • Drugs and Medication
  • Unethical Treatment of A Horse
  • Rankings & Results
  • Breeds & Disciplines
  • Sport Excellence & Education
  • Athlete & Horse Services
    • Athlete Services
    • Horse Services
    • Show Pass Form
  • Regulation of the Sport
    • Rulebook
    • Regulating Horse Welfare
    • Drugs & Medications
    • Reporting and Processes
    • Warning Card System
    • Rulings & Findings
    • Ineligibility List
  • Feedback
  • Competition Resources
    • Competition Management
    • Compliance
    • Licensed Officials
    • USEF Lite Competitions
  • Search
    • Horses
    • People
    • Competitions
  • Safe Sport
    • For Affiliates
    • For Competition Organizers
    • For Competitors
    • For Junior Competitors
    • For Licensed Officials
    • For Owners
    • For Parents
    • For Trainers
  • Safe Sport Sanction List
  • Safe Sport Directory
  • Reporting Misconduct and Abuse
  • U.S. Center for SafeSport
  • Mental Health Benefits
  • Additional Resources
  • Watch Live & On Demand
    • Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championships – East + Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic
    • Morgan Gold Cup Regional Horse Show
    • US Equestrian: The Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon (two-hour highlight show) on ESPNews 11:00am-1:00pm ET
    • Connecticut Morgan Open Horse Show
  • Programming Schedule
  • Learning Center
    • About US Equestrian
    • Getting Started
    • Horse Care
    • Safety and Welfare
    • Breeds
    • Disciplines
  • Press Releases
  • Major Events
  • Team USA
  • Social Media
  • Equestrian Magazine
  • Equestrian Weekly Newsletter
  • Webinars
  • Media Partners
  • Apparel
  • Hats
  • Accessories
  • Interscholastic Programs
  • MemberPerks
  • Member Support
  • Join/Renew
  • Membership Benefits
    • Health and Insurance Benefits
    • Mental Health Resources
  • MemberPerks and Discounts
  • Membership Forms and Resources
  • Community Building
    • Community Outreach Programs
  • Kids Club
  • About Us
  • Partners & Sponsors
  • Contact Us
  • Translate
  •   Login
Search
Become a Member
  1. Home
  2. Frequently Asked Questions
  3. FAQ: Safe Sport for Parents FAQ

FAQ: Safe Sport for Parents FAQ

1. What is the U.S. Center for SafeSport, what is their jurisdiction and how is the Center empowered?

The U.S. Center for SafeSport (Center) is a major partner in our efforts to combat abuse. Their jurisdiction is exclusive as it relates to allegations of sexual misconduct and it retains discretionary jurisdiction over non-sexual misconduct allegations, i.e. bullying, harassment, physical and emotional misconduct. Created in March of 2017, the Center is an independent organization which was authorized by Congress on February 14, 2018, through S. 534 – Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017. The bill amended the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act of 1978 by designating the Center to serve as the independent national safe sport organization, with the responsibility for developing policies and procedures to prevent the emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of amateur athletes.

The Center receives reports, conducts investigations, determines sanctions, and informs National Governing Bodies for sport, such as US Equestrian, of sanctions against any persons for violations of the Center’s Safe Sport Code. The Center employs specially trained personnel to conduct its work. This partnership enables US Equestrian to bring you consistent and reliable reporting processes, resources and support.

2. What are the reporting requirements?

All USEF members and participants must report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport conduct of which they become aware that could constitute (a) sexual misconduct, (b) misconduct that is reasonably related to the underlying allegation of sexual misconduct, and (c) retaliation related to an allegation of sexual misconduct. This report must be made within immediately upon learning of an alleged misconduct.

Additionally, any emotional and/or physical misconduct should be reported directly to US Equestrian.

Importantly, the obligation to report requires reporting any conduct that comes to a member’s or participant’s attention, which if true, would violate the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code or USEF Safe Sport Policy.

Individuals should not investigate or attempt to evaluate the credibility or validity of allegations involving sexual misconduct, as a condition of reporting to the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

3. What happens if I do not report conduct that I am required to report?

The failure to report sexual misconduct involving a minor to law enforcement is a crime under federal law and it is punishable as a criminal offense. Further, a failure to report sexual misconduct to the U.S. Center for SafeSport may be an independent violation of the SafeSport Code that could result in a sanction against the individual. Finally, the failure to report emotional and/or physical misconduct to USEF may be a violation of the USEF Safe Sport Policy that could result in a sanction against the individual.

4. Am I required to report about suspected abuse that occurred several years ago?

Yes. There is no statute of limitations applicable to reports of incidents of sexual misconduct made to the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

5. What resources are available to learn more about Safe Sport?

The USEF website links to the Center with extensive resources including:

  • Reporting forms and process
  • 24 Hour Helpline
  • Definitions
  • SafeSport Training
  • SafeSport Code
  • USEF Safe Sport Policy
  • USEF Safe Sport Sanctions List

These can be found at usef.org/safesport.

6. I am a parent/guardian and will have to sign the entry blank as coach/trainer for my minor child, do I need to do SafeSport Training?

Yes, anyone acting as a coach or trainer at competition, whether they sign an entry blank or not, must be a Senior Active Member of USEF and complete SafeSport Training.

7. What is USEF’s responsibility to enforce sanctions?

Federal Law requires USEF to enforce sanctions imposed by the U.S. Center for SafeSport and interim measures, including temporary suspensions. Communicating the information to members and the media is an important way to ensure protection of our members and participants in equestrian sport.

 

8. When did USEF’s Safe Sport program start?

USEF established a Safe Sport Policy, effective December 1, 2013, prior to the Center being created. The Policy covered the areas of prohibited conduct (sexual misconduct, emotional misconduct, physical misconduct, bullying, harassment and hazing), training and education, criminal background checks, reporting and enforcement. Program requirements included Safe Sport Training and criminal background checks for USEF Staff, Licensed Officials, Board Members and Team Chefs and Coaches.

 

9. What responsibility do USEF Recognized Affiliates and their associated organizations and activities have regarding suspended or banned individuals?

A suspended or banned person is prohibited from participating, in any capacity, in any activity or competition authorized by, organized by, or under the auspices of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the national governing bodies recognized by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, including US Equestrian, and/or any US Equestrian Affiliated Organization. This prohibition affects a person regardless of whether or not they are a USEF member. Competition licensees and management are responsible for ensuring that no banned or suspended person is on the competition grounds.

This question and the answer to it is only about the responsibility for the recognized affiliates to enforce the banned/suspended/sanction list, and is not an exhaustive list of their responsibilities regarding Safe Sport.

10. I have specific questions about The Center for SafeSport. Where should I go?

We highly encourage you visit both their website and their section about Frequently Asked Questions.

Information

  • Member Login
  • Community Building
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • Legal
  • Site Map

Donate

  • USET
  • US Equestrian

Contact

United States Equestrian Federation
4001 Wing Commander Way
Lexington, KY 40511
Call: 859-810-8733
  • [email protected]
Member, United States
Olympic & Paralympic Committee
© 2025 United States Equestrian Federation