GRESHAM, Oregon, July 12. WHILE USA Swimming as a whole is still working on developing a policy to protect swimmers from sexual abuse, the Western Zone has jumped ahead to begin instituting some of its own reporting and protection structures for the 2010 Western Zone Age Group Championships.
Under the leadership of Zone Directors Brandon Drawz and Robert Broyles, the Western Zone held meetings during the summer to come up with the following guidelines for Local Swim Committees within the Western Zone.
The following are suggested guidelines for LSC's within the Western Zone. These guidelines are primarily for the protection of our youth members: however, they also serve to protect our adult members from accusations of abuse. Your suggested guidelines should include, but not be limited to the following:
• All members of USA Swimming are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the USA Swimming Code of Conduct (Article 304).
• The only acceptable physical contact between staff and an athlete is a handshake, high-five, fist bump, pat on the head, or side hug.
• No rubdowns or massages unless by a licensed massage therapist or other certified professional and must be performed in the view of others.
• Any and all One-on-One meetings with athletes must be held in the view of others.
• Electronic communication between staff and swimmers is restricted to swimming-related announcements (i.e. results, schedules, newsletters or other official team communication).
• Adults must respect the privacy of athletes in locker room or clothes changing situations.
• Cameras, imaging, and digital devices. Use any device capable of recording or transmitting visual images in locker rooms, restrooms, or other changing type areas is prohibited.
• Travel code guidelines should include, but not be limited to the following:
o Team staff (coaches, managers, chaperones, et al) is not allowed in athlete rooms of the opposite gender unless accompanied by a same gender adult. An athlete's parent/guardian is excluded from this restriction.
o Team staff should not have immediate access (i.e. keys) to all rooms.
o All staff members must complete a criminal background check.
o Staff that will be driving should provide a DMV report.
o All staff members must complete a registered sex offender background check.
• Complaints of abuse should be reported to at least two adults (those individuals should document and look into complaints as soon as possible). If a violation of the USA Swimming code of conduct is suspected, at least one of these adults must report it to USA Swimming.
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July 12, 2010 What a terrific effort to help protect young athletes! But please consider provisions for assisting swimmers with a disability, especially when physical assistance is needed for entry/exit from the pool and when personal assistance is needed in the locker room. Here are a few ideas: (a) ask the swimmer how s/he wants to be helped and where to touch/support; (b) have another person around either to help or to witness the help; (c) per USA-S Article 105 encourage the swimmer to provide her/his own personal assistant; and (d) encourage increased independence as the swimmer becomes more fit and able over time. Research shows that persons with disabilities are more likely than others to be victimized. More information about disability swimming is posted at http://www.usaswimming.org/disability. Submitted by: Gail Dummer
July 12, 2010 Hopefully, all zones will follow through with a similar Athlete Protection Policy.
Concerning the travel code guidelines, I think it would be prudent to have a rule that no staff member (irrespective of gender) can be in a hotel room alone with a swimmer. If a staff member needs to be a hotel room with a swimmer, two staff members should always be present. Submitted by: Mom
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