While sexual misconduct often dominates SafeSport discussions, the 2026 Code also prohibits a wide range of non-sexual misconduct. Emotional misconduct, physical misconduct, bullying, hazing, and harassment are all Code violations when they occur within a context reasonably related to sport. These categories fall within the Center’s discretionary jurisdiction, meaning the Center may choose to investigate them or leave them to the relevant NGB or LAO.
Emotional Misconduct
Emotional misconduct includes verbal acts (repeatedly and excessively verbally assaulting someone in a manner that serves no productive training purpose), physical acts (throwing equipment or punching walls), acts that deny attention or support (isolating a person or routinely excluding them from participation), criminal conduct, and stalking. The Code makes clear that emotional misconduct is determined by the objective behaviors, not whether harm was intended or actually resulted.
Stalking is defined as a purposeful course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or experience substantial emotional distress. This includes cyber-stalking through social media, texts, and other electronic means.
Physical Misconduct
Physical misconduct covers any intentional contact or non-contact behavior that causes or reasonably threatens physical harm. Contact violations include punching, hitting, and encouraging an athlete to return to play prematurely after a serious injury without medical clearance. Non-contact violations include isolating someone in a confined space, withholding hydration or nutrition, providing alcohol to a minor, or knowingly participating while impaired.
Importantly, physical misconduct does not include conduct reasonably accepted as part of the sport. Hitting and kicking are regulated forms of contact in combat sports, for instance, but have no place in non-combat sports like swimming.
Bullying, Hazing, and Harassment
Bullying behavior must be repeated or severe, aggressive, directed at a minor, and intended or likely to hurt, control, or diminish the minor. It can be physical, verbal, social (including cyberbullying), or discriminatory. Bullying-like behavior directed at adults is addressed under hazing or harassment.
Hazing is conduct intended to subject someone to anything that may endanger, abuse, humiliate, degrade, or intimidate them as a condition of being accepted by a group or team. Consent is not a defense to hazing. Harassment involves repeated or severe conduct likely to cause fear, humiliation, or a hostile environment, or that reflects a discriminatory bias.
All of these categories carry potential sanctions ranging from probation to permanent ineligibility. If you have been accused of any form of misconduct under the SafeSport Code, understanding these definitions and how the Center applies them is essential. Contact The Chetson Firm to discuss your defense options.
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