SafeSport Database Campaign Aims to Address Gaps in Athlete Safety

Helping parents, schools, and youth-serving organizations make informed decisions

DENVER, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Center for SafeSport today announced the launch of a public awareness campaign to address gaps in athlete safeguarding. The campaign is a response to recent reporting from The Washington Post and ProPublica, highlighting the problem of SafeSport-banned individuals participating in sport programs outside of SafeSport's jurisdiction. These gaps in athlete safeguarding have also prompted an inquiry by the U.S. Congress.

"When SafeSport imposes a sanction for abuse or misconduct, the community should be aware," said SafeSport CEO and Olympic gold medalist Benita Fitzgerald Mosley. "Someone could be on the SafeSport Database for abuse but go on to work at a school or coach for a league outside of our jurisdiction. That's why it's critical to educate parents and all youth-serving programs about this resource."

The campaign increases awareness of SafeSport's Database, which lists adults who are currently prohibited from Olympic and Paralympic sport due to misconduct and abuse. The campaign includes:

• The launch of a public video message from SafeSport's CEO,
• Further public promotion of the SafeSport's Database as a tool for any sport or youth-serving organization, and
• Urging anyone who knows or suspects that someone on SafeSport's Disciplinary Database is continuing to participate in sports in violation of their restrictions or sanction to make a report.

If SafeSport is made aware of a sanctioned individual participating within a sport or youth-serving program outside of its jurisdiction, SafeSport has established a new internal process where, at its discretion, it will notify organizations outside of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement of sanctions it has imposed.

Mosley Fitzgerald continued: "We stand by our findings, and we want to make sure our sanctions receive the broadest possible platform to keep communities informed."

The campaign expands upon the July 21 announcement that SafeSport now provides weekly updates to media outlets and the broader public when individuals are added to the Centralized Disciplinary Database. The weekly announcements resulted in more than 13,000 new visitors, a 108% increase, to the CDD between July 21 and September 30 when compared to the same period the year prior.

Need for Abuse Prevention in Sport
The U.S. Center for SafeSport is the nation's only independent organization dedicated to ending sexual, physical, and emotional abuse in U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sport. SafeSport emerged in response to high-profile cases of sexual abuse of minor athletes within Olympic and Paralympic sport in the mid-2010s. With the mission of leading the movement to make sports safer for all, SafeSport has since been setting safety policies, and receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints of abuse and misconduct. SafeSport also serves as an educational resource for sports organizations at all levels, from recreational sports organizations to professional leagues.

With the goal of ensuring athletes within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement are safe, supported, and strengthened, SafeSport:

• Establishes safety policies, including the SafeSport Code and the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP),
• Investigates and resolves allegations of abuse and misconduct and levies sanctions, including temporary and permanent bans from Olympic and Paralympic Sport,
• Delivers comprehensive abuse prevention education within and outside of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and
• Implements a comprehensive audit and compliance function over all National Governing Bodies (NGBs) within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement to ensure adherence to safety, abuse prevention, and accountability standards.

About the U.S. Center for SafeSport
The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 codified the U.S. Center for SafeSport, as the nation's safe sport organization. It furthered SafeSport's independence while underscoring its authority to hold individuals accountable. It also charged SafeSport with developing policies, procedures, and training to prevent abuse and misconduct in sport.

In October of 2020, the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020 became law, even further strengthening SafeSport's independence and oversight functions while mandating minimum funding requirements for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

SafeSport opened its doors in March of 2017.

Reporting and Resources
Report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport if you have experienced abuse or misconduct—or if you have reasonable suspicion of abuse or misconduct—inflicted by someone in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. You can also call SafeSport at 833-587-7233 to make a report or ask questions about the reporting process. The hotline is staffed from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (MT), and you can leave a voicemail if calling after hours.

RAINN's 24/7 online hotline is available for crisis intervention, referrals, or emotional support at any time. You can also call RAINN at: 800-656-HOPE (4673).

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support at 988lifeline.org or by calling 988.

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SOURCE U.S. Center for SafeSport