Sexual Abuse
Policy It is the policy of USA Hockey that there shall be no sexual
abuse of any minor participant involved in any of its sanctioned programs, its
Training Camps, Hockey Clinics, Coaches Clinics, Referee Clinics, Regional and
National Tournaments or other USA Hockey events by an employee, volunteer or
independent contractor. Sexual abuse of a minor participant occurs when an employee,
volunteer or independent contractor touches a minor participant for the purpose
of causing the sexual arousal or gratification of either the minor participant
or the employee, volunteer or independent contractor. Sexual abuse of a minor
participant also occurs when a minor player touches an employee, volunteer or
independent contractor for the sexual arousal or sexual gratification of either
the minor participant or the employee, volunteer or independent contractor,
if the touching occurs at the request or with the consent of the employee, volunteer
or independent contractor.
Neither consent of the player to the sexual contact, mistake as
to the participant’s age, nor the fact that the sexual contact did not
take place at a hockey function are defenses to a complaint of sexual abuse.
Upon proof of violation of this policy, the violator will be permanently
banned or suspended from USA Hockey sanctioned programs and/or the programs
of its Affiliate Associations.
Physical
Abuse Policy
It is the policy of USA Hockey that there shall be no physical abuse of any
participant involved in any of its sanctioned programs, Training Camps, Hockey
Clinics, Coaches Clinics, Referee Clinics, Regional and National Tournaments
or other USA Hockey events by any employee, volunteer or independent contractor.
Physical abuse means physical contact with a participant that intentionally
causes the participant to sustain bodily harm or personal injury. Physical abuse
also includes physical contact with a participant that intentionally creates
a threat of immediate bodily harm or personal injury.
Physical abuse does not include physical contact that is reasonably
designed to coach, teach or demonstrate a hockey skill. Permitted physical conduct
may include, but is not necessarily limited to, shooting pucks at a goaltender,
demonstrating checking and other hockey skills, and communicating with or directing
participants, during the course of a game or practice, by touching them in a
non-threatening, non-sexual manner.
Screening
Policy
It is the policy of USA Hockey that it will not authorize or sanction in its
programs that it directly controls any volunteer or employee who has routine
access to children (anyone under age of majority) who refuses to consent to
be screened by USA Hockey before he/she is allowed to have routine access to
children in USA Hockey's programs. Further, it is the policy of USA Hockey that
it will require its affiliates to adopt this policy as condition of its affiliation
with USA Hockey.
A person may be disqualified and prohibited form serving as an
employee or volunteer of USA Hockey if the person has:
Been convicted (including crimes the record of which has
been expunged and pleas of "no contest'') of a crime of child abuse,
sexual abuse of a minor, physical abuse, causing a child's death, neglect
of a child, murder, manslaughter, felony assault, any assault against a minor,
kidnapping, arson, criminal sexual conduct, prostitution related crimes or
controlled substance crimes;
Being adjudged liable for civil penalties or damages involving
sexual or physical abuse of children;
Being subject to any court order involving any sexual abuse
or physical abuse of a minor, including but not limited to domestic order
or protection;
Had their parental rights terminated;
A history with another organization (volunteer, employment,
etc.) of complaints of sexual or physical abuse of minors;
Resigned, been terminated or been asked to resign from a
position, whether paid or unpaid, due to complaint(s) of sexual or physical
abuse of minors;or
Has a history of other behavior that indicates they may
be a danger to children in USA Hockey.
The Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association, an affiliate of USA
Hockey, will screen all coaches, referees and team managers that have the potential
to come in contact with our youth. The purpose of this program is to promote
health, safety and protection of the children in the game of ice hockey.
Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association will not authorize or
sanction in any of it's programs that it directly controls any volunteer or
employee who has routine access to children (anyone under the age of majority),
who refuses to consent to be screened by AAHA, prior being issued acceptance/approval
for routine access to the children who take part in AAHA programs.
