Reporting Concerns of Abuse

The U.S. All Star Federation (USASF) is committed to creating a safe and positive environment for participants’ physical, emotional, and social development and promoting an environment free from abuse and misconduct. In addition to increased awareness, training, and educational opportunities, we recognize it can be difficult to report an allegation of misconduct and are striving to remove barriers to reporting. The USASF and USA Cheer have developed a UNIFIED REPORTING FORM for the cheerleading and dance community as a tool for understanding and reporting allegations of both abuse and policy violations.

WHO TO CONTACT

LOCAL AUTHORITIES

REPORT TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES IMMEDIATELY:

Sexual abuse, physical abuse or criminal activities involving a minor

MANDATED REPORTING LAWS
A mandated reporter is a person who, because of his or her profession, is legally required to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities. These laws are in place to prevent children from being abused and to end any possible abuse or neglect at the earliest possible stage.
Members of the USASF who suspect sexual or physical abuse or misconduct involving a minor are required to report the allegations to law enforcement before they report it to the USASF.

HOW TO REPORT
STEP 1
Contact law enforcement or local child welfare agencies designated to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect: State Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers

STEP 2
Contact the organization or entity that employs the accused if it will not compromise the safety of the reporter or alleged victim(s).

STEP 3
Complete the USASF/USA Cheer UNIFIED REPORTING FORM.

IF A MINOR IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER OR ABUSE IS OCCURRING, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY

USASF/USA CHEER UNIFIED REPORTING FORM

Contact the USASF for issues concerning:

Physical Abuse or Misconduct
Emotional Abuse or Misconduct
Bullying, Threats or Harassment
Hazing

HOW TO REPORT

Complete the USASF/USA Cheer UNIFIED REPORTING FORM.

U.S. ALL STAR FEDERATION

Contact the USASF for issues concerning:

Professional Responsibility Code violations (read more) *
USASF age grid or roster violations
Sanctioned event requirement violations by programs, owners, coaches, athletes or personnel
Sanctioning standard violations for events hosted by Event Producer members
Athletic safety while training such as not following concussion protocol or return-to-play guidelines

* You must be a current member of the USASF to file reports of Non Compliance of the Professional Responsibility Code

HOW TO REPORT

Contact a USASF Regional Director.
Find a USASF Regional Director.

Contact your local authorities if you have a reasonable suspicion that child sexual misconduct, abuse or neglect has occurred. All reports of sexual assault, sexual misconduct or abuse of a minor must FIRST be reported to local authorities. Reports of abuse not involving a minor may also be reported to local authorities.

Until the legal process has been concluded, it will take precedence over the membership ineligibility process whenever criminal activity may have occurred.

When making your report to the USASF, please have the following information available:

The entity to which you reported
The name, telephone number and email address of the person you spoke with or to whom the case has been assigned
Any case number or reference number you were given
The date you made the report
And, if you were provided any documentation from the report, please have that available to upload

The U.S. All Star Federation (USASF) recognizes that a key element to preventing abuse and misconduct is the implementation of an effective reporting policy that:

Results in reports of suspected abuse and misconduct, and
Does not in any way deter victims or witnesses from reporting abuse and misconduct.

Potential abusers will avoid involvement in a program where there is a likelihood that suspected abuse will be reported.

When sport stakeholders are untrained about how and when to report suspected abuse, they may feel ill-prepared, powerless and lost when it comes to responding to, and reporting, misconduct. By providing guidance on when and how to report suspected misconduct, the U.S. All Star Federation seeks to remove barriers to disclosing misconduct, including child physical or sexual abuse and misconduct.

DIGITAL PUBLICATION

REPORTING VIOLATIONS