SafeSport Training Course & FAQ

Child sexual abuse is likely the most prevalent health problem young people face, with the most serious consequences. One way to prevent abuse is through effective abuse prevention training. As stewards of young people who participate in WGI, protection from all forms of abuse is central to our mission.

The "SafeSport™ Trained" Abuse Prevention course has been adopted by WGI as the required training for all adult instructional and managerial staff having regular contact with or authority over participants. The U.S. Center for SafeSport created this 90-minute, interactive course entirely online and is required training for all sports in the Olympic movement.

Due to gaps and inaccuracies in database information and the high rate of unreported predators, background checks are a good start, but alone they are insufficient to protect the vulnerable population WGI serves. The powerful combination of background checks and mandatory abuse prevention training teaches how offenders operate, recognize signs of abuse, teach strategies for abuse prevention, and familiarize leaders with appropriate response mechanisms.

All adult instructional and managerial staff having regular contact with or authority over participants must complete training concerning participant abuse protection prescribed by WGI. All employees and independent contractors, including adjudicators and contest personnel, as well as the board of directors are also subject to this requirement.

We encourage groups to consider extending this training to other individuals in your organization not required by this policy including participants over 18, captains, section leaders, chaperones, drivers, and others who have regular interaction with participants.

To see the online training course outline, click here.

All those required to complete this training should do so before regular contact with participants begin or within the first 45 days of starting a new role subjecting the adult to this policy.

WGI has negotiated a special rate of $17 to take the required 90-minute online "SafeSport™ Trained" Abuse Prevention course.

No. All individuals required to take the training will receive a personalized certificate of completion. Directors of participating groups must collect these certificates and keep a copy on file for each active instructional or administrative personnel. Participating groups must provide documentation to WGI upon demand or through regular and random audits.

No. It is difficult to find a universal approach to this sensitive subject, and we respect the efforts of some school districts in this area. However, as each district has its specific requirements, scholastic groups participating in WGI should understand that we have adopted this requirement so that everyone in our community has the same information. We are confident that the required training will provide that baseline for everyone participating in WGI.

Yes. Our commitment to providing a safe, supported, and strengthened environment extend to those groups participating in our virtual events.

Yes. Anyone in an instructional position of authority over participants would still be subject to this policy.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport is an independent 501c(3) non-profit organization focused on ending all forms of abuse in sport through abuse prevention, education, and accountability.

The Center opened its doors in Denver, Colorado, in March 2017, and soon after became federally-authorized under the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 (which became Public Law No: 115-126 on February 14, 2018). The law entrusts the Center as the exclusive authority to respond to reports of allegations of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct within the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and their recognized National Governing Bodies (NGBs).

The Center is a trusted educational resource for all sports entities, from grassroots amateur sports organizations to professional leagues.

In February 2020, WGI announced a partnership with SafeSport to help us create policies that will equip and empower all within our organization to prevent, identify, and respond with accountability in tackling sexual misconduct. WGI has adopted to follow the model set by the U.S. Olympic Committee of required education in abuse prevention as a requirement for participation.

If your organization wants to purchase training for multiple individuals with one payment:

1. Email training@safesport.org for a complimentary set-up with WGI. Please include your associated circuit name, program name, and number of seats needed.
2. Once complete, you’ll receive instructions for making a multi-seat purchase with the WGI discounted rate of $17/SafeSport Training Core course. (Credit card is preferred, but a check/ACH route is available if needed. PO’s will not be accepted)
3. You’ll receive one Enrollment Link/Key you can share with your learners to access the course.

WGI now requires the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s SafeSport™ Trained course because it is the most comprehensive course the Center provides, and it is updated with the most current information regularly. It contains the most in-depth information on preventing, recognizing, and reporting abuse and misconduct. This course includes expert interviews, scenarios, and other activities to help learners apply the information to their roles within the WGI training and competition environments. Look for the name SafeSport™ Trained in your certificate to be sure this meets WGI requirements. To register successfully, you must go to safesporttrained.org.

The Protecting Students from Abuse course on the NFHS website does not fulfill our organization’s requirement to take the SafeSport™ Trained course. The Protecting Students from Abuse course serves as a short introduction to abuse and misconduct, including an overview of definitions and basic reporting information.

Please contact the WGI office either by calling 937-247-5919 or emailing office@wgi.org.

WGI believes abuse prevention training is as essential as insurance, eligibility, and other requirements groups must follow to participate. All groups should invest in a culture of safety at their organization as much as travel, instruction, equipment, and costumes to protect participants during all their group activities, not just WGI events.