SafeSport Offers Resources to Prevent Bullying in Sports

DENVER, Oct. 1, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The U.S. Center for SafeSport, a national organization dedicated to ending abuse in U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sport, has released resources and advice in recognition of Bullying Prevention Month, aiming to help parents and coaches create safer environments for young athletes.

In the mid-2010s, Paralympic sport was plagued by high-profile cases of sexual abuse of minor athletes, prompting the Sport Authorization Act of 2017, which codified the U.S. Center for SafeSport as the nation's safe sport organization. The organization's mission is to lead the movement to make sports safer for all, and it has since established safety policies, investigated and resolved allegations of abuse and misconduct, and provided comprehensive abuse prevention education.

SafeSport Vice President for Education & Research, Monica Rivera, emphasized the importance of recognizing when a young person may be struggling and responding to those needs before they manifest as harmful behavior.

SafeSport offers a variety of resources to support this mission, including a "Could my kid be the bully?" resource for tangible steps to shift sport culture and interrupt cycles of bullying behavior. The organization also provides a comprehensive webpage with information and resources, including a section on the need for abuse prevention in sport.

SafeSport is available for recorded interviews, and Monica Rivera, who has extensive experience in the field of interpersonal violence prevention, has appeared on various media outlets including CBS Evening News, NPR, PBS, and The Atlantic. She has also given a TEDx Talk.

SafeSport encourages reporting of abuse or misconduct to the U.S. Center for SafeSport. You can report or ask questions about the reporting process by calling 833-587-7233, which is staffed from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (MT) and can be reached by leaving a voicemail if calling after hours. RAINN's 24/7 online hotline is available for crisis intervention, referrals, or emotional support at any time, and can be reached at 800-656-HOPE (4673). The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support at 988lifeline.org or by calling 988.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport, established in March 2017, is committed to ensuring athletes within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement are safe, supported, and strengthened. Its work includes establishing safety policies, investigating and resolving allegations of abuse and misconduct, and delivering comprehensive abuse prevention education. SafeSport also serves as an educational resource for sports organizations at all levels, from recreational sports organizations to professional leagues.