For years, we’ve counted on youth sports to be a haven for our children — an experiential classroom in which life lessons and fundamental values are introduced and tested in a controlled environment.

We’ve taken for granted that the coaches who work with our children are both qualified and honorable in their intentions to contribute positively to the healthy physical development of young players under their care.

Sadly, we can no longer assume that is true.

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Because of growing concerns about the safety of children, US Lacrosse has invested significantly in strategies to reduce the risk of physical and sexual abuse in lacrosse.

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One in 10 children will be sexually abused before age 18, and one in eight athletes of all ages will be sexually abused within their sport. Sixty percent of sexual abuse occurs at the hands of someone we trust.

I’ve written before about the importance of parents knowing who is coaching their child and what qualifications they should possess to effectively teach the sport at each development stage. US Lacrosse certification is the best way to identify coaches who have been properly trained to teach the sport. In addition to interactive online courses and practical on-field clinic experience, US Lacrosse-certified coaches undergo a background check conducted by the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI).

Because of growing concerns about the safety of children, US Lacrosse has invested significantly in strategies to reduce the risk of physical and sexual abuse in lacrosse. We’ve hired a SafeSport program manager, Abby Morris, who is leading the development of model policies and guidelines for programs and leagues. We’ve partnered with the U.S. Center for SafeSport to provide mandatory sexual abuse training for US Lacrosse member coaches. And we recently announced that all US Lacrosse member coaches would undergo an NCSI criminal background screening at no additional cost as a benefit and condition of membership — a requirement to be completed upon their next join/renew transaction.

We’re investing more than $500,000 in our SafeSport program and hope that you will be a vocal advocate to help ensure widespread adoption in the best interest of our sport and the children who play it.

— Steve Stenersen, US Lacrosse CEO

National Background Screenings

There’s no room for predators in lacrosse.

US Lacrosse has ramped up its efforts to protect athletes from sexual abuse by requiring all coaches to complete a national background screening and online training. Both of these requirements will be provided at no additional cost to members. 

Did You Know?

1 in 10
Children are sexually abused before age 18.

1 in 8
Athletes, of all ages, will be abused within their sport.

60%
​Of instances of sexual abuse of children occurs at the hands of someone the family trusts.

— Source: U.S. Center for SafeSport

US Lacrosse has partnered with NCSI (National Center for Safety Initiatives), an industry leader, for the background screenings. As of Oct. 15, anyone who joins the organization or renews as an adult coach member must initiate the national background screening within 10 days. Otherwise, his or her membership will be suspended, voiding the insurance coverage benefit.

While national background screenings are not a new practice at US Lacrosse, the online training requirement is driven in part by the Safe Sport Authorization Act.

The law, enacted by Congress earlier this year in response to the highly publicized arrest and criminal conviction of former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, seeks to protect minors by expanding mandatory reporting regulations, requiring the completion of abuse awareness and prevention training, and instilling policies that limit one-on-one interactions.

US Lacrosse is collaborating with the U.S. Center for SafeSport to implement an online training course to further train and educate lacrosse stakeholders. Once completed, the online training will also become a requirement for adult coach membership.

“We have a duty to lead on this critically important issue,” said Steve Stenersen, president and CEO of US Lacrosse. “Our commitment to the welfare of athletes is paramount. There can be no tolerance for physical of sexual abuse of children in the sport of lacrosse.”

Safe Sport Authorization Act

In February, a new federal law with stricter mandates was enacted to prevent sexual abuse of minors in amateur sports. The sweeping legislation broadened mandatory child abuse reporting laws to all youth sports organizations, including US Lacrosse.

Under the new law, anyone affiliated with these organizations must:

• Report sexual abuse to law enforcement or social service agencies within 24 hours.

• Undergo abuse awareness and prevention training.

• Implement policies limiting one-on-one interactions.

— Matt DaSilva, Editor in Chief

This article appeared in the December edition of US Lacrosse Magazine.