What should I do if an athlete tells me they've been abused?

Q: What should I do if an athlete tells me they've been abused?

Your job is to report, not to investigate. Don't question the athlete to work out what happened, and don't judge whether it's true. The 2026 SafeSport Code says participants should not investigate or try to evaluate the credibility of allegations of sexual misconduct or child abuse. A good-faith report doesn't need proof. If anyone is in immediate danger, or it involves child abuse, report to law enforcement first (call 911 in an emergency), then to the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Write down what you know so your report is complete: the athlete's contact details (and their parents'), what happened, where and who was involved, and details of the alleged abuser. Report it yourself. Telling your head coach, club director or league president does not meet your obligation, and you must report even if you think someone else already has. The athlete is never required to report their own abuse. The Code also prohibits retaliation, meaning any adverse action or threat against someone for reporting or taking part in an investigation, and adults must report retaliation to the Center.

Question

Accepted Answer

Your job is to report, not to investigate.

Don't question the athlete to work out what happened, and don't judge whether it's true. The 2026 SafeSport Code says participants should not investigate or try to evaluate the credibility of allegations of sexual misconduct or child abuse. A good-faith report doesn't need proof.
If anyone is in immediate danger, or it involves child abuse, report to law enforcement first (call 911 in an emergency), then to the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
Write down what you know so your report is complete: the athlete's contact details (and their parents'), what happened, where and who was involved, and details of the alleged abuser.
Report it yourself. Telling your head coach, club director or league president does not meet your obligation, and you must report even if you think someone else already has.

The athlete is never required to report their own abuse. The Code also prohibits retaliation, meaning any adverse action or threat against someone for reporting or taking part in an investigation, and adults must report retaliation to the Center.