The Bill has a three-pronged approach:

1) Any adult interacting with amateur athletes in the program have a duty to report abuse and or suspected abuse within a 24 hour period. EVERY adult is a mandatory reporter.

2) The statute of limitations is extended for up to 10 years after a victim realizes he or she was abused. 

3) Limits an athlete under the age of 18 from being alone with an adult who is not their parent. 

*What is an amateur athlete?  Any child or minor under the age of 18.

Legislation is available for download HERE

Click HERE for Expert Analysis of the New Law.

Sexual abusers find those places where the barriers of protection are lowest, where people are more trusting and where fewer barriers exist between service applicants and children. Making everyone in CSA aware of the risks and signs of sexual abuse helps raise the barriers to would be abusers.

When staff, volunteers and our membership as a whole learn the facts, we are all better able to protect children in program.

REPORTING

Training & awareness are both preventative and reactive.  Preventative in that potential perpetrators will avoid our program if they know the barriers to access are high due to increased awareness.  Reactive in that sufficiently trained staff & membership will be able to spot the signs of abuse early and REPORT immediately.

ALL adults must report any suspected child abuse to the relevant AUTHORITIES within 24 hours.  This is non-negotiable and is both State & Federal Law.

After reporting to the authorities, adults must also report the suspected abuse to the CSA RISK MANAGER and EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.