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Statement from USA Wrestling Regarding Policy Change

By Virginia Wrestling Association, 04/05/18, 8:30PM EDT

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On February 14, 2018, the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 was signed into law. As the name reflects, the law adds additional measures to increase safety for all athletes involved in Olympic sport.

Knowing the responsibilities as outlined by law and what is expected by our members and families, the Executive Committee of USA Wrestling has voted in some incredibly important policy changes to again increase athlete safety that will go into effect beginning with the 2018-19 membership season. These proactive changes will help increase awareness of misconduct and mandatory reporting requirements, empower members and parents to identify and report misconduct, and ensure that those who do not belong in wrestling are not part of it.

The changes as voted to go into effect with the 2018-19 USA Wrestling membership season are as follows:

  1. Requirement of all adult athlete members to complete SafeSport training (the training is provided at no cost by the U.S. Center for SafeSport and is required in order to be a member coach and/or official of USA Wrestling and all of Olympic sport organizations/National Governing Bodies).

  2. Requirement of all member coach and official memberships to be sold online as a way to ensure no one is purchasing membership without the required vetting.

  3. Requirement of all USA Wrestling sanctioned event coaches and officials to be members of USA Wrestling, which will ensure that the only people in a position of authority over children will be properly vetted.

The entire document prepared by USA Wrestling is linked below.