WGI Sport of the Arts is committed to building a community where participants can learn together in an atmosphere free of emotional, physical, and sexual misconduct. It is WGI policy that all adult instructional and administrative staff having regular contact with or authority over participants of any group participating in any WGI event must complete the “SafeSport™ Trained” Abuse Prevention courses.
Individuals that have taken the SafeSport™ Trained course between January 1st, 2020 and June 1st, 2023 must complete the Refresher 1: Recognizing and Reporting Misconduct course. Individuals who have not taken the main SafeSport™ Trained course are required to complete that course. Individuals who have completed the SafeSport™ Trained AND SafeSport Refresher 1 are already in compliance for the 2024 season.
All employees and independent contractors, including adjudicators and contest personnel, as well as the board of directors are also subject to this requirement.
For more information on Group Requirement Deadlines CLICK HERE.
SafeSport
FAQ
- 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.
Training, on its own, does not prevent abuse. But a key component of developing this policy is to convey WGI’s commitment to creating a culture of safety and equipping all within our organization to understand and identify the problem. When everyone has the facts, we can all protect the young people in our care.
- If your organization wants to purchase training for multiple individuals with one payment:
- Email training@safesport.org for a complimentary set-up with WGI. Please include your associated circuit name, program name, and number of seats needed.
- Once complete, you’ll receive instructions for making a multi-seat purchase with the WGI discounted rate.
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 extends to those groups participating in our virtual events.
To see the online training course outline, click here.
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.
Yes. Anyone in an instructional position of authority over participants would still be subject to this policy.
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.