Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3221-2546
Publisher Link
https://americanpresspublishers.com/ARCAA.html
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2024
Publication Title
Applied Research in Coaching and Athletics Annual
First Page
130
Last Page
146
Abstract
The U.S. Center for SafeSport (SafeSport) was founded to prevent sexual abuse in sport and provide educational training around abuse prevention. According to SafeSport’s centralized disciplinary database, 80 USA Wrestling coaches have been listed as ineligible, suspended, restricted, or permanently ineligible from 2005 to 2023. This case study sought to examine wrestling coaches’ perspectives on SafeSport and its effectiveness in preventing sexual abuse in the sport of wrestling. Twelve wrestling coaches participated in semi-structured interviews and described the effectiveness of SafeSport, how SafeSport should be enforced, and strategies to successfully implement SafeSport. Participants indicated the value of SafeSport to bring awareness and mitigate sexual abuse in the sport of wrestling, but also suggested that the level of reporting ambiguity and lack of pursuance upon filing a report contributed to perceptions of SafeSport’s ineffectiveness. Recommendations for the future implementation and effectiveness of SafeSport are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Silverman, R.S., Corr, C., & Carroll, M.S (2024). United States Center for SafeSport: A case study on wrestling coaches’ perspectives. Applied Research in Coaching and Athletics Annual, 39, 130-146.