I hope you’ll take a few moments to answer the following questions.
This survey is entirely anonymous. Please do not include your name or any other names or identifying information.
Background
SafeSport began in 2017 under congressional mandate in response to the Larry Nassar scandal. According to SafeSport’s 2024 Annual Report, the organization has received 32,238 allegations since it opened in 2017 [1]. Since its inception, SafeSport has handled an enormous caseload, 8,098 reports were filed in 2024 alone — the highest ever.
• Fewer than 3,000 cases (≈9%) have been resolved with a formal finding (“Violation” or “No Violation”) since 2017.
• Over 10,000 cases (≈31%) have been labeled “No Jurisdiction” or “Jurisdiction Declined”.
• More than 2,224 individuals (≈7%) appear in the Centralized Disciplinary Database as of the end of 2024.[1]
In gymnastics specifically, USAG indicated that there are approximately 19,000 coaches and other professionals, of whom 287 (≈1.5%) are listed in the ineligible or permanently ineligible category (personal communication, 2025). No information is publicly available on the number of coaches under investigation.
Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP)
The Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) are a set of mandatory minimum standards designed to prevent abuse by controlling one‑on‑one interactions between adults and minors in sport settings. The complete model policy, manual, and “MAAPP At‑A‑Glance” resources are available directly from the U.S. Center for SafeSport website.
These policies apply across the entire U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement, including all National Governing Bodies (NGBs), Local Affiliated Organizations (LAOs), and Adult Participants.
MAAPP exists to:
• Limit one‑on‑one adult/minor interactions
• Set safety standards for training, communication, transportation, lodging, and physical contact
• Require abuse‑prevention training for adults in regular contact with minors
• Create environments where misconduct is less likely to occur.
Common Complaints About SafeSport
(Based on publicly reported concerns and investigations)[2]
1. Slow or inconsistent case handling
USA TODAY reports that SafeSport has received around 15,000 complaints since 2017, and many cases are closed administratively or take long periods to resolve.
People often say:
• Investigations take too long
• Temporary measures can feel arbitrary
• Some cases are closed early due to a lack of cooperation or evidence, leaving complainants frustrated
2. Lack of transparency
Critics argue that:
• The process is opaque
• Parties don’t always understand why a case is opened, closed, or sanctioned
• The Center rarely explains its reasoning publicly due to privacy and legal constraints
3. Inconsistent jurisdiction and case routing
SafeSport must first determine whether it has jurisdiction. If not, cases are closed or routed to NGBs.
This leads to complaints that:
• Some cases “fall through the cracks.”
• Emotional/physical misconduct cases bounce between SafeSport and NGBs
• Athletes and parents don’t know where to report what
4. High administrative closure rate
USA TODAY notes that cases may be closed if the complainant doesn’t want to participate or if there’s insufficient information.
This fuels perceptions that:
• Survivors must “carry the burden.”
• Cases without cooperative victims rarely move forward
• Patterns of behavior may not be captured
5. Burden on complainants
People often say the system:
• Requires survivors to retell traumatic experiences.
• Places investigative responsibility on those least equipped to navigate the process
• Doesn’t provide enough support during the process
6. Temporary measures feel uneven
SafeSport can impose temporary restrictions while investigating.
Complaints include:
• Some coaches are restricted quickly, others not
• Restrictions can last months or years
• Athletes feel unprotected, or coaches feel unfairly targeted, depending on the case
7. NGBs still struggle with compliance
Even though SafeSport has “exclusive jurisdiction” over sexual misconduct, NGBs must handle other categories.
This leads to:
• Confusion about who handles what
• Inconsistent enforcement across sports
• Parents and athletes are unsure where to report
8. Resource constraints
With millions of participants and thousands of reports, critics argue the Center is:
• Understaffed
• Underfunded
• Overwhelmed by volume
This contributes to delays and inconsistent communication.
Please consider this survey entirely anonymous. Do not include your name or anyone else's name.
References
1. Jimenez, G. SafeSport allegations at an all-time high. 2025; Available from: https://www.insidethegames.biz/.
2. Armour, N. What is the U.S. Center for SafeSport and what does it do? [News Feed] 2023; Available from: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2023/05/22/safesport-how-organization-handles-abuse-complaints/70238130007/.
