(Update 3/19/2023)
USRowing’s mission is to champion participation and the passionate pursuit of excellence in the sport of rowing. The organization seeks to achieve these goals with a commitment to integrity, teamwork, and — above all — safety.
The U.S. Congress designated the U.S. Center for SafeSport with the authority to respond to reports of sexual misconduct within the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement by passing the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017. This legislation designates the U.S. Center for SafeSport to serve as the independent national safe sport organization.
USRowing’s Safe Sport program is designed to assure athlete safety by promoting and enforcing policies and programs that address: bullying, hazing, harassment (including sexual harassment), emotional misconduct, physical misconduct and sexual misconduct (including child sexual abuse and/or grooming behaviors).
All USRowing Member Organizations are required to have their own athlete safety program. While the primary focus is to safeguard children, these policies extend to all age groups including masters and college level.
As a condition of membership, USRowing Member Organizations must accept the jurisdictional role of the U.S. Center for SafeSport to investigate and adjudicate any issues of sexual misconduct within their organization.
Safe Sport violations for behaviors other than sexual misconduct should be investigated and handled within each member organization following its internal policies and procedures. After exhausting all remedies afforded by the member organization’s policy, issues of misconduct may be brought to USRowing.
To Report a Safe Sport concern.
https://uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern/
The following people need to have a Background Check and/or take Safe Sport Volunteer Training (90 mins course) via the free USRowing volunteer membership.
- Coaches (Requires background check every 2 years and SafeSport Training)
- Board of Directors (Requires background check every 2 years and SafeSport Training)
- Volunteers that have direct access to athletes over the course of several days. (Requires background check every 2 years and SafeSport Training) Volunteers supporting overnight travel or 3 regattas or more.
- Chaperones
- LOC HQ positions
- Trailer Driver
- Athletes who are or will be turning 18 years of age during the season. (Requires Safesport Training)