FenceSafe: USA Fencing’s Commitment to Safety
The safety of our fencers is a top priority. USA Fencing is committed to creating a safe and positive environment for athletes’ physical, emotional and social development, and to ensuring that it promotes an environment free of misconduct.
Because sport can be a high-risk environment for misconduct, including child physical and sexual abuse, USA Fencing has policies and systems in place to protect our fencers such as the SafeSport Code, the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies and the USA Fencing Codes of Conduct. While child sexual misconduct is one type of misconduct, it is important to remember that these policies cover many inappropriate behaviors that apply regardless of the ages of the individuals involved in the alleged activity.
Six primary types of misconduct addressed in the SafeSport Code:
All forms of misconduct are intolerable and in direct conflict with USA Fencing ideals.
The U.S. Center for SafeSport has exclusive authority to investigate and resolve alleged SafeSport Code violations involving sexual misconduct. USA Fencing will retain the authority to investigate and resolve alleged SafeSport Code violations that are non-sexual in nature, including physical misconduct, emotional misconduct, bullying, hazing and harassment; although, at USA Fencing's request, the Center may exercise the discretionary authority to take on these cases.
