All Adult Participants of Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association are considered mandatory reporters of any known or suspected child abuse. Abuse does not need to be confirmed. Adult Participants should never seek to conduct their own investigations.
Mass Youth Soccer and our member organizations are responsible for providing a process and method that allows for a reasonable suspicion of sexual or physical abuse to be easily reported within a 24 hour period of awareness.
To report known or suspected child abuse or neglect - All steps below must be completed:
- Call Local Law Enforcement
- Call the Department of Children and Families (DCF) within 24 hours; DCF also requires a written report be submitted within 48 hours of the initial call.
REPORTS THAT INVOLVE POTENTIAL CHILD ABUSE OR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT* MUST ALSO BE REPORTED TO BOTH THE US CENTER FOR SAFESPORT AND PLAYERS HEALTH.
File a report with The US Center for SafeSport: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern
File a report with Mass Youth Soccer via the Players Health portal; Click HERE.
Inform your participating organization’s President and or Risk Manager.
*Regardless of the age of the parties involved.
For mandatory reporting steps and procedures: https://www.mayouthsoccer.org/mandatory-reporting/