One of the most far-reaching aspects of the 2026 SafeSport Code is its mandatory reporting requirements. Every adult participant—coaches, officials, trainers, volunteers, board members, and others—has an individual obligation to report certain types of misconduct. Ignorance of these obligations is not a defense, and failure to report is itself a Code violation that can result in sanctions.
What Must Be Reported and to Whom
The reporting obligations vary depending on the type of misconduct. For child abuse, including child sexual abuse, an adult participant who learns of information or reasonably suspects an incident must immediately report to law enforcement, report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, and comply with any applicable state reporting laws. Reporting to the Center alone is not sufficient—dual reporting to both the Center and law enforcement is required.
For sexual misconduct not involving a minor, the adult participant must report directly to the Center immediately but no later than 24 hours. If the sexual misconduct does involve a minor, it must be reported as child abuse under the more demanding dual-reporting requirement.
For emotional and physical misconduct, including bullying, hazing, harassment, and proactive policy violations, the obligation is to report to the organization with which the participant is affiliated (the NGB, LAO, or USOPC), though reporting to the Center instead will also satisfy the requirement.
Key Features of the Reporting Obligation
Several aspects of these requirements are worth emphasizing. First, the obligation is individual. Reporting to a supervisor does not relieve the participant of the duty to report as specified. Second, the obligation is ongoing—it is not satisfied by an initial report alone. Participants must continue to report all information they become aware of, including the names of witnesses and claimants. Third, participants should not investigate or evaluate the credibility of allegations before reporting.
The Code does not require a victim to self-report. Anonymous reports are also accepted, though they may limit the Center’s ability to investigate. Medical and mental health professionals have a limited privilege exception for adult claimants, but they must still report all suspected child abuse.
Consequences of Failing to Report
Filing a knowingly false allegation is also a violation and may expose a participant to criminal and civil liability. But the Code draws a clear line: a false allegation is one where the events did not occur and the reporter knows it. An unsubstantiated allegation—where there is simply not enough evidence—is not the same thing, and reporting an unsubstantiated allegation is not grounds for a violation.
If you have questions about your SafeSport reporting obligations or are facing allegations related to a failure to report, contact The Chetson Firm for guidance.
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