What is SafeSport?
The U.S. Center for SafeSport is an independent organization responsible for abuse prevention, education, and accountability within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
Nebraska State Soccer’s Risk Management Policy incorporates SafeSport requirements and U.S. Soccer safeguarding policies to help our soccer community prevent misconduct, recognize concerning behavior, maintain appropriate boundaries, and report concerns.
Prohibited Conduct | Mandatory Reporting | Background Screening
Education & Training | MAAPP | Enforcement
Who Needs SafeSport Training?
Adult Participants who have regular contact with or authority over minor athletes must complete SafeSport abuse-prevention training annually. The Center’s MAAPP materials also emphasize this annual requirement.
Coaches • Administrators • Team Managers • Volunteers • Other Adult Participants
Understanding MAAPP
The Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) establish boundaries for interactions between adults and minor athletes. They are designed to reduce opportunities for abuse and create safer sport environments.
👥 One-on-One Interactions
Interactions with minor athletes should be observable and interruptible.
📱 Electronic Communications
When communicating electronically with a minor athlete, include another Adult Participant or the athlete’s parent/guardian.
🚗 Transportation
Understand the requirements before transporting a minor athlete individually.
🚪 Locker Rooms & Changing Areas
Follow appropriate monitoring and privacy requirements.
⚽ Individual Training Sessions
Parents/guardians must be permitted to observe individual training sessions, subject to applicable MAAPP requirements.
🏨 Travel & Lodging
Know the safeguarding requirements when teams travel and stay overnight.
See Something? Say Something.
You Don’t Have to Be Certain to Speak Up
If you experience, witness, or become aware of behavior that may violate SafeSport or Nebraska State Soccer policies, report the concern through the appropriate channel.
All Adult Participants of NSS are mandatory reporters of any known or suspected child abuse. All reports must be made to the appropriate law enforcement authorities within 24 hours. The abuse does not need to be confirmed. Adult Participants should never seek to conduct their own investigations.
REPORT TO NEBRASKA STATE SOCCER
Concerns involving NSS members, clubs, competitions, policies, or conduct.
REPORT TO THE U.S. CENTER FOR SAFESPORT
Reports involving sexual misconduct and other matters within the Center’s jurisdiction.
IMMEDIATE SAFETY CONCERN
Contact local law enforcement or emergency services when someone’s immediate safety is at risk.
🚫 No Retaliation
Nebraska State Soccer prohibits retaliation against individuals who make a good-faith report or participate in an investigation.
How do I find out if my child’s coach has had a complaint made against them?
Under the Federal SafeSport Act, the U.S. Center for SafeSport is authorized to exercise jurisdiction over the USOC, each national governing body (including USSF), and each Paralympic sports organization with regard to safeguarding amateur athletes against abuse, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, in sports. Records of final disciplinary action against individuals affiliated with USSF-controlled programs are publicly available through the Center’s searchable database of disciplinary records at: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/.