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SafeSport
RowNC, Inc. supports the USRowing SafeSport campaign to protect athletes from bullying, hazing, harassment (including sexual harassment), emotional misconduct, physical misconduct and sexual misconduct. Our members and volunteers are held to the highest standard; in compliance with USRowing’s program, we use background checks, education and training, and reporting and enforcement to ensure a safe space for our master athletes.
Effective January 1, 2022, participants 18 years of age or older are now required to take SafeSport training on an annual basis. If SafeSport training is not completed prior to attending a regatta, an adult participant will not be allowed to participate. The training is free for all members of USRowing ( Link ).
RowNC, Inc. has established a number of procedures to assure all members of RowNC, Inc., CHaOS and RowNC Adaptive, they are protected from instances of misconduct. The following sections outline the steps and procedures that have been established by the organization to comply with the SafeSport campaign.
SafeSport Training
As a requirement of participating in US Rowing events (eg Head of the Charles, Head of the Hooch), members are required to undergo U.S. Center for SafeSport online training program every two years. The online program is free and may be accessed as follows:
1. Go to SafeSport.org and click on the “Sign In” button (upper right corner).
2. Register following the prompts and create your account. (As this is a new program, you must create a new account. You will not be able to login with your SafeSport credentials from the previous website.)
3. Following completion of your registration, there will be a box that indicates
4. Select U.S. Rowing as your “Membership” from the drop-down menu
5. The following account code should be used for USRowing: J5YZ-UJKV-YMFX-4ENI
6. Complete “Adult Athletes” module only.
It is the duty of each member, coach and volunteer to report violations of the Athlete Protection Policy. Inaction by a member, coach or volunteer will be regarded as a violation of this policy.
Reporting Procedure
Violation of the policy(ies) can be reported according to the USRowing’s Reporting Policy. RowNC members, coaches and volunteers should report issues to either the designated RowNC Safe Sport administrator (safesport[at]rownc.org) or a member of the RowNC board (board[at]rownc.org).
Often due to the sensitivity of the complaint, individuals can report an issue either anonymously, in person, verbal or in written form. Regardless of the method of reporting, it is helpful if the following items are provided by an individual at a minimum:
a) the name of the complainant(s), and,
b) the type of misconduct that is being alleged and the name of the individual(s) involved in the alleged misconduct
Complainants should use the following report form to submit their complainant
To the extent permitted by law, and as appropriate, RowNC will keep confidential the complainant’s name on request, not make public the names of potential victims, the accused perpetrator or the people who made a report of physical and sexual abuse to the authorities.
Investigation and Appeals Process
Upon receiving a notification of report, the SafeSport Program administrator will conduct a thorough investigation of the incident. The investigation will involve speaking to all parties mentioned, including the reporting party. The process will also include the opportunity for both parties to get together to try to resolve the complaint. If the complaint is not able to be resolved upon discussion, then a hearing panel with authority to make recommendations will be created and conducted. Final appeals will be made to US Rowing.
After receiving the incident report form the SafeSport Program administrator will conduct a thorough investigation of the incident. If the RowNC board receives the incident report, then it will be passed onto the SafeSport Program Administration for further action. The Administrator will be tasked with talking to all parties involved in the incident, attempt to resolve the complaint through mediation, but if the complaint cannot be resolved upon discussion, then a hearing panel (i.e. Administrator plus two members) will establish that has the authority to make recommendations and establish an opinion on the matter. The members of the hearing panel will be selected by the administrator, but typically will include members of the RowNC Board, if appropriate.
Any further appeals to these recommendations will be deferred to US Rowing.
Member Notification
If at the conclusion of an internal investigation and review by the hearing committee, a member, coach or volunteer is asked to leave the organization, then it will be at the discretion of the RowNC Board, following consultation with outside counsel, to notify other individuals within the organization of its action and, if it is deemed so, that the allegation of abuse or other criminal behavior has been reported to law enforcement authorities.
The RowNC Safe Sport Administrator will maintain an electronic record, a copy of which will also be stored on the organizations corporate drive.
Confidentiality
To the extent permitted by law, and as appropriate, RowNC will keep confidential the complainant’s name on request, as well as not publicizing the names of any potential victim(s) or accused individual(s).