As an organization we require every volunteer to complete a national criminal background check every 12 months. We also require all coaches to complete an online child abuse prevention training course through Safeguard From Abuse - https://safeguardfromabuse.digitalchalk.com every TWO (2) years.
Why is Child Abuse Prevention Training important?
Many believe that child sexual abuse can’t happen in their organization, or that no one they know could be an abuser. This illusion of safety is often found in schools, camps and many other child-serving organizations.
This illusion is dangerous to both the organization and the children it serves. 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.
In our culture, barriers to entry tend to be lower in child-serving organizations. We want to ‘raise the bar’, and the first step is to better understand the problem. When volunteers and staff members learn the facts, they are better able to protect children in their care.
Child Abuse Prevention Training is key in equipping staff members and volunteers to better understand the risk of child sexual abuse. Typically, our beliefs are shaped by our personal experience, the experiences of our friends and family and the media. For most of us, sexual abuse of children is not a reality we want to confront, so many of us choose to remain uninformed. Media coverage is incomplete, leaving us with an inaccurate picture of the scope, breadth or shape of child sexual abuse.
To better protect children in our programs, we must realize that the problem is significant and growing, and that abusers have no visual profile. We must be able to recognize predators behaviorally. This Child Abuse Prevention Training equips employees and volunteers with the 'eyes to see' the grooming process of an abuser and key indicators of child sexual abuse.
Why are children at risk in youth sports?
Young athletes are taught to trust the coach, an adult in a position of authority. The right coach can have an incredibly positive impact on a child’s life—teaching and modeling sportsmanship, competition and teamwork. The wrong coach can cause serious damage.
Unfortunately, a growing number of sexual predators are using youth sports to gain access to children.
This training is the single most important step an organization can take to reduce the risk of child sexual abuse. When staff members and volunteers are equipped with the ‘eyes to see’ the grooming process of an abuser and key indicators of child sexual abuse, we are better able to protect children in our care.
What do I need to do if I’m an ASA coach or plan to coach?
All registered coaches, head and assistant, must complete the 90-minute online training course before getting approved to coach for the upcoming spring season. The training will be good for TWO (2) years from the date of completion.
Exceptions:
- Current ASA Soccer coaches must complete US for SafeSport child abuse prevention training and are not required to complete the Safeguard From Abuse training.
- Tackle football coaches from the previous fall season who have completed the USA Football tackle certification training, which includes the US for SafeSport child abuse prevention training, are not required to complete the Safeguard From Abuse training.
*ASA keeps training records for all coaches and will notify coaches each season if they are required to complete the training.
To complete the training at no cost, please follow the instructions below:
Access Safeguard From Abuse training at: https://safeguardfromabuse.digitalchalk.com
- Select CREATE ACCOUNT
- Complete the sign-up form
- Enter ALLEN SPORTS ASSOCIATION as the name of your organization and the following Registration Code: ASAATX
- Click on your course play button to begin training