Child Abuse and Misconduct Risk Management Plan
In 2018, Congress enacted a new Federal law which establishes a nationwide standard “duty to report” suspected child abuse. The “Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Act of 2017” (“Safe Sport Act”) specifically requires amateur sports organizations such as Dixie Youth Baseball including its affiliate leagues to:
1) Duty to Report Child Abuse 2) Limit One-On-One Interaction with Minors3) Training for Adults and Minors4) Prohibit Retaliation
Purpose
The safety and well-being of all participants is paramount in the Dixie Youth Baseball® (“DYB”) program. DYB wants all youth to participate in a safe environment. DYB and its leagues have the responsibility to protect the children playing in its local program whether they are our children, or the children of others.
The purpose of this risk management plan is to reduce and/or prevent the occurrences of misconduct in DYB and affiliated leagues baseball programs as well as to reduce the liability potential for DYB and its leagues. Misconduct can negatively impact participants, league official/staff members, family, friends, and the sport.
Specifically, our organization will implement policies in the following areas to address all types of misconduct and to set forth boundaries of appropriate and inappropriate conduct: sexual misconduct, including child abuse; grooming behavior; physical misconduct; emotional misconduct; bullying; harassment; hazing; social media and electronic communications; locker rooms and changing areas; travel; reporting misconduct; screening official/staff; and monitoring for compliance.
This plan is designed for Dixie Youth Baseball and its affiliated local league organizations. This a policy and educational document which meets the educational requirements for all adult volunteers. It should be posted on organization websites and freely copied and distributed to all adult officials, coaches, volunteers and parents in the program.