The safety of its participants is of paramount importance to USA Hockey. This includes not only on-ice safety, but also off-ice safety in any part of USA Hockey’s programs.

USA Hockey has long had systems in place to protect its participants from physical abuse, sexual abuse and other types of abuse and misconduct that can be harmful to youth hockey players and other participants. These include without limitation Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Screening, Locker Room Supervision and Hazing Policies, in addition to Codes of Conduct applicable to administrators, coaches, officials, parents, players and spectators. The USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook  is intended to update and collect USA Hockey’s various policies to protect its participants from all types of misconduct and abuse.

USA Hockey has ZERO TOLERANCE for abuse and misconduct.

This SafeSport Handbook includes the various Policies that apply to all USA Hockey Member Programs. Those Policies address

• Sexual Abuse
• Physical Abuse
• Emotional Abuse
• Bullying, Threats and Harassment

The Policies also address areas where misconduct can occur and are intended to reduce the risk of potential abuse, including:

• Locker Room Policy
• Electronic Communications Policy
• Travel Policy
• Billeting Policy

In addition to Policies, the SafeSport Handbook includes the available and required Training of USA Hockey and its Member Programs’ employees, volunteers, administrators, coaches, parents and players on recognizing and reducing circumstances for potential abuse to occur; information on USA Hockey’s Screening and Background Check Program; the availability and procedures for any person to Report suspected abuse or misconduct (including protections from any retaliation or repercussions for such reporting); the procedures and means by which USA Hockey and its Member Programs should Respond to allegations of abuse and misconduct; and how USA Hockey and its Member Programs will Monitor and Supervise the SafeSport Program to help ensure its effectiveness.

By combining all of these elements into a comprehensive SafeSport Program, USA Hockey intends to create the safest possible environment for participation in hockey.

** SafeSport training and certification is different than the MAHA Background screening requirements**