“Safety and security don’t just happen; they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.”  Nelson Mandela 

 USA Volleyball and the forty Regional Volleyball Associations are committed to creating a safe and positive environment for its participants’ physical, emotional, and social development. Together we will promote an environment free from abuse and misconduct. It must be recognized that the safety of its Participants lies with all those involved in the sport and is not the sole responsibility of any one person at the club, regional or national level.  

First, and most importantly, whether one is a gifted athlete or a recreational player, volleyball is FUN! It is a lifetime sport enjoyed by players from 8 to 80. Participation in volleyball is not only good exercise, but also involves team cooperation and spirit.   

Athletes enjoy a wide range of physical, emotional and social benefits. Sports develop general physical fitness, and physical exertion has a documented positive mental effect. Athletes have a greater sense of self-worth, demonstrate better collaboration skills, and maintain healthier peer relationships. 

Sports, including volleyball, can also be an at-risk environment for misconduct, including physical and sexual abuse. All forms of  misconduct are intolerable and in direct conflict with the values of USA Volleyball. 

For more information: 
Online – https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball
Email - SafeSport@usav.org
Call – 719-228-6800 or the Delta Regional Volleyball Association Office at 870-933-8110.   

The SafeSport Helpline provides crisis intervention, referrals, and emotional support specifically designed for athletes, staff, and other SafeSport participants affected by sexual violence.

Through this service, support specialists provide live, confidential, one-on-one support. All services are anonymous, secure, and available 24/7: https://safesporthelpline.org/

• USA Volleyball is proud to introduce Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies  Download MAAPP

These policies outline training requirements and limit one-on-one interactions with minor athletes.  The policies went into effect June 23, 2019.  Legal Guardian Consent (LG) form, fillable.
Legal Guardian Consent Form  

*Completed LG Consent forms will be saved under a region file and forwarded to the region to disseminate to the appropriate club 

• U.S. Center for SafeSport "Core" Training: This is required training for adults who have regular contact with amateur athletes who are minors, and/or have regular contact with or authority over an amateur athlete who is a minor. The training must be completed before regular  contact with an amateur athlete who is a minor begins; or within the first 45 days of initial membership, or upon beginning a new role subjecting the adult to the MAAPP. The “Core” training is required also prior to eligibility to take the Refresher 1. This training is available to USAV members for free. 

• 30-Minute Refresher: This is conducted annually following "Core" Center for SafeSport Training. This training is 30 minutes and is a review of the information shared in the Core Center for
SafeSport Training.  This training is available to USAV members for free. 

• Athletes turning 18 during the season, whose teammates are minors, will be required to take "Core" Center for SafeSport training upon turning 18. To prevent any disruption in play, the center will allow athletes who are 17, turning 18 during the season to take "Core" given parental consent. Once a player turns 18, he or she will not be permitted to continue play until "Core"
SafeSport training has been completed. Complete the parental consent form  before registering for training if you have a minor athlete who needs to take the training. Once the form is completed, your child will be enrolled in SafeSport training. A notification of registration will be sent to the email address on file to access the course. 

*Completed Parental Consent forms will be saved under a region file 

• Youth Training Courses: The U.S. Center for SafeSport has launched youth courses. This training is not mandatory and will be offered through the Center's website http://athletesafety.org. It
requires parental consent. The parent/legal guardian creates the account to provide consent for the child and to decide which course is best for their child. Courses are for preschool age; grades K-2; grades 3-5; middle school and high school. These free courses are for minor athletes and their parents to understand the importance of positive, welcoming environments in sports, where misconduct like bullying or abuse is less likely to happen, and to know where to report abuse, should it happen. 

If you have already completed the Core training you will need to register for the Refresher 1 course.