Q: SafeSport says I aided and abetted misconduct by another coach. I didn’t do anything wrong myself. How can I be in trouble?
A: Under the SafeSport Code, you can be held responsible not only for your own misconduct but also for helping, enabling, or failing to report the misconduct of others. Aiding and abetting charges can ensnare people who believe they were simply being loyal colleagues or minding their own business.
What Aiding and Abetting Means
Under the Code, aiding and abetting includes knowingly assisting another person in committing prohibited conduct, covering up or concealing known misconduct, failing to report known or suspected abuse or misconduct, and willful tolerance of another person’s prohibited conduct.
Willful Tolerance
The willful tolerance provision is particularly broad. If you knew or should have known about misconduct by a colleague and failed to take action, you could face SafeSport sanctions yourself. This is true even if you were not involved in the underlying conduct.
Mandatory Reporting
All participants in the Olympic movement have an obligation to report known or suspected abuse. Failure to report can itself be a SafeSport violation. This obligation extends to coaches, trainers, board members, volunteers, and athletes.
Defense Strategies
Defending against aiding and abetting charges often involves demonstrating that you did not have actual knowledge of the misconduct, that you took reasonable steps to address concerns, or that the underlying conduct did not constitute a Code violation. An experienced attorney can help distinguish between genuine complicity and innocent association.
Related Practice Areas
SafeSport Defense | The Chetson Firm
This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact The Chetson Firm at (919) 352-9411 for a confidential consultation.