All Adult Participants of Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association are mandated reporters of any known or suspected child abuse. Abuse does not need to be confirmed. Adult Participants should never seek to conduct their own investigations.
Reasonable suspicion of sexual, physical, or mental abuse must be reported within a 24-hour period of awareness; Steps for reporting are below.
TO REPORT KNOWN OR SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT ALL STEPS BELOW MUST BE COMPLETED
- Call local law enforcement.
- Call the Department of Children and Families (DCF) within 24 hours; DCF also requires a written report be submitted within 48 hours of the initial call.
- File a report with the U.S. Center for SafeSport: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern
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- Reports that involve potential child abuse or sexual misconduct (regardless of the age of the parties involved) must also be reported to both the U.S. Center for SafeSport and Mass Youth Soccer via Players Health.
- File a report with Mass Youth Soccer via the Players Health portal; click HERE.
- Inform your participating organization's President and/or Risk Manager.
IMPORTANT: Making a report online to Players Health will alert the State Risk Manager and assist Mass Youth Soccer in taking any appropriate action (temporary measures).
As required by the SafeSport Act, Mass Youth Soccer does not tolerate retaliation of any kind. Any Adult Participant who makes a good faith report will not be subject to retaliation, including harassment, as a result of making a report. The SafeSport Act also includes qualified immunity for good faith reports. The obligation to report is not always satisfied by making an initial report and an Adult Participant is required to report supplemental information of which they become aware that may be relevant in a pending investigation.