Safety for Youth Sports: Parents, Caregivers, and Communities
Introduction
Welcome to Stop It Now! We are a child sexual abuse prevention program, working across the U.S. to support all adults to feel confident and prepared to be responsible for protecting children from sexual harm. We work with youth-serving organizations nationally to bring knowledge, skills and resources that will help them create the safest environment possible for both the children in their programs and activities, and for the adults caring for and guiding them.
As an adult in a child's life, you have a special role to play in keeping kids safe. Sexual abuse prevention is about communication, safety planning and learning the signs of risk - so that protective factors and practices can be strengthened and confidently put into place. These resources will help you learn more about sexual abuse and what you can do to be a protective and involved adult, responsible for children's safety and well-being.
Together - we can prevent the sexual abuse of children. Stop It Now! is here to support you. Reach out to our Helpline whenever you have a question, concern or need for support.
- Resource guide: Reporting Child Sexual Abuse
- Tip Sheet: Signs an Adult is At Risk to Harm a Child
- Tip Sheet: Safety in Sports
- Tip Sheet: Safe Contact in Sports: Hands-On Adjustments
- Advice Column: Parent Worried About Coach's Behavior
- Advice Column: Coach Worried That an Athlete Is Being Sexually Abused
Get Immediate Help - Helpline provides free, confidential, and direct support and information to individuals with questions or concerns about child sex abuse. Anyone concerned about child sex abuse can reach out to our national prevention Helpline (1.888.PREVENT), email, and chat services.
Use the below resources to learn how you can keep kids safe today and long term.
- Child Welfare Info Gateway - Information by state on mandated reporting requirements and child protection service contacts.
- ChildHelp - 24/7 hotline that helps identify reporting resources.
- Children's Rights and Sports - Project Play from the Aspen Institute.
- Your Life Your Voice (1.800.448.3000) - Crisis helpline open 24/7 for youth who are struggling with a variety of topics. Text VOICE to 20121; email also available through their website.
- Trevor Project (1.866.488.7386) - Provides 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. Text START to 678-678; chat also available through their website.
- Love is Respect (1.866.331.9474) - Peer advocates available 24/7 to support teens with concerns about dating violence. Chat available thru their website, or text LOVEIS to 22522.
- National Runaway Safeline (1.800.RUNAWAY) - Crisis line available for youth 24/7 who are thinking about running away, for youth already on the run, and for adults worried about a runaway.
- Whats OK? (1.888.PREVENT) - Helpline for youth ages 14-24 who have questions about safe sexual boundaries, relationships and online behavior. Text WHATSOK to 1.888.532.0550; chat also available through their website.