Should All USOC-Recognized Amateur Athletic Organizations be Mandatory Reporters of Sexual Abuse? (H.R. 1973)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is H.R. 1973?
(Updated July 15, 2021)
This bill would require amateur athletic governing bodies recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee (like USA Gymnastics) to report allegations of abuse to law enforcement agencies and develop training, oversight, and internal policies and procedures related to the physical or sexual abuse of any minor or amateur athlete by any adult. All members of the national governing body and adults authorized by the organization to interact with minor or amateur athletes would be required to immediately report all allegations of sexual abuse that they reasonably suspect occurred to police.
The national Olympic governing body would also establish a mechanism that allows for complaints to easily be filed with the governing body. It would also be responsible for having procedures in place to prevent all amateur, minor athletes from being in a one-on-one situation with an adult who isn’t their guardian without being in an observable and interruptible distance from another adult. The organization would be required to include regular audits by unaffiliated entities of its procedures within its oversight plan.
The U.S. Olympic Committee and associated entities would have limited liability.
Argument in favor
USOC-recognized amateur athletic organizations and all people affiliated with them should be required to immediately report allegations of suspected sexual or physical abuse to law enforcement and have procedures in place to prevent such abuse.
Argument opposed
There’s no need for USOC-recognized amateur athletic organizations and the people associated with them to be mandatory reporters, or have other policies in place to prevent the sexual or physical abuse of young athletes.
Impact
Children and adults associated with amateur athletic governing bodies; and law enforcement.
Cost of H.R. 1973
A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.
Additional Info
In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) introduced this bill to ensure the prompt reporting of suspected cases of abuse at amateur athletic organizations recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and put procedures in place to prevent the abuse of young athletes:
“Sexual abuse impacts survivors for a lifetime. It is the first responsibility of coaches, trainers, doctors and amateur athletic governing bodies to protect our athletes and help them thrive. When sexual abuse allegations go unreported to the authorities and abusers are allowed to continue to work with and prey upon young athletes, it is unconscionable. It demands our action and attention. This legislation will help ensure that we are protecting young athletes.”
This legislation was passed by the House Judiciary Committee on a voice vote, and has the support of 11 bipartisan cosponsors including seven Republicans and four Democrats.
Of Note: The U.S. Olympic Committee issued a public apology in March 2017 for shortcomings in its child protection procedures that have been exposed through a series of sexual and physical abuse scandals.
Media:
Summary by Eric Revell
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