MUSC Policy to Protect Youth Athletes from Sexual, Physical & Mental Abuse
Morris United Soccer Club has adopted six specific policy areas to protect youth athletes from abuse:
- Enforcing a written application and background checks for all Morris United Soccer Club coaches, trainers, volunteers and other staff working with adolescents;
- Reporting suspected abuse as defined by the US Center for Safesport;
- Limiting one on one interaction between Morris United Soccer Club adults and youth athletes;
- Requiring all adult volunteers to abide by the Morris United Soccer Club "Coach's Code of Conduct";
- Prohibiting retaliation against individuals who report suspected abuse; and
- Education and training of coaches, trainers, volunteers and other staff to raise awareness of abuse and what they should do if they suspect abuse.
1. Enforcing Background Checks
All coaches, trainers, volunteers, officers and other staff involved with the Morris United Soccer Club must complete a written (online) application that sets forth appropriate background information, and requires disclosure of any prior crimes or activities which may be detrimental to the health and well-being of a minor child.
Background checks are to be completed every year for each adult volunteer, coach, trainer or other staff member via an online registration which includes authorization for a background check to be completed.
Individuals are only authorized to work with the Morris United Soccer Club once there application has been approved and a background check has been successfully completed.
2. Reporting Suspected Abuse
Reporting Sexual, Physical and Emotional Abuse and Neglect
Morris United Soccer Club's officers, trainers, coaches and other volunteers and staff MUST report a reasonable suspicion of Sexual or Physical abuse or neglect within a 24 hour period of awareness.
The report should be made to:
Local Law Enforcement
- EMERGENCY: 9-1-1
- Morris Township Police Department: (973) 539-0777
- Morristown Police Department: (973) 292-6614
- Morris Plains Police Department: (973) 538-2284
- Randolph Police Department: (973) 989-7010
- Parsippany Police Department: (973) 263-4300
State of New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF)
AFTER receiving guidance and direction from law enforcement and/or the Division of Child Protection & Permanency, consideration should be given to reporting incidents as follows:
Morris United Soccer Club President and/or a club Vice President
- Club President
- Club Vice President for Recreation Soccer
- Club Vice President for Travel Soccer
NJ Youth Soccer State Office (National Governing Body Affiliate)
US Soccer (National Governing Body)
US Center for SafeSport
Reporting Other Forms of Abuse
Other forms of abuse and misconduct including emotional abuse, bullying, hazing or harassment should be reported to the President of Morris United Soccer Club and/or the State Risk Manager: Evan Dabby, [email protected], 609.336.2023
3. Limiting One on One Interaction
- Morris United Soccer Club will limit athletes from being alone with coaches, trainers, volunteers or other adult staff by requiring parents to be copied on all e-mails between individual athletes and any MUSC adult;
- Prohibiting MUSC adult staff to reach out socially to individual athletes by phone, text or social media;
- Requiring any "one-on-one" training or other contact between a youth athlete and coach or staff be in a highly visible location [ideally with other adults nearby];
- Prohibiting athletes from traveling alone with a non-parental adult;
- Only allowing an athlete to travel with a non-parental adult if given permission by the athlete's parent/guardian.
4. Requirement to Abide by the MUSC Coach's Code of Conduct
All adult volunteers, coaches, trainers and staff are required to be knowledgeable of and agree to abide by the Morris United Soccer Club Coach's Code of Conduct. See appendix : MUSC Coach's Code of Conduct.
5. Prohibiting Retaliation
Morris United Soccer Club prohibits retaliation of any kind against any individual who reports suspected abuse.
6. Education and Training of Staff & Volunteers
Morris United Soccer Club requires all adult trainers, coaches and volunteers to take the program provided by the US Center for SafeSport and become "SafeSport Trained". It is mandatory for all adult staff involved with the Morris United Soccer Club to complete this training and to submit a certification of successful completion of the national program for SafeSport training to the club.