US Athletes Critique 'Profound Issues' in SafeSport's Management of Abuse Allegations

 

United States national soccer team players have expressed concerns about the U.S. Center for SafeSport's inadequate handling of abuse claims. They are urging Congress to reform the organization's operations just days before the women's team begins their quest for a fifth World Cup title.

In a letter addressed to House members, all 23 athletes on the U.S. women's World Cup squad highlighted the problems with SafeSport, an independent non-profit organization established in 2017 by Congress to address and prevent abuse within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement.

"While SafeSport is the sole formal mechanism to keep wrongdoers out of our sport, we find it insufficient in achieving its intended purpose," the letter, sent by the U.S. Soccer's Athletes' Council, stated.

The athletes' call for change comes after revelations of widespread abuse within women's soccer in the United States. An independent investigation earlier uncovered instances of abuse and sexual misconduct across multiple teams in the top-flight National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). It also highlighted the failure of U.S. Soccer, the governing body for the sport, to implement "basic measures" to protect players.

The concerns raised in the letter include issues with the appeals and arbitration process, which the players believe can be "harmful and retraumatizing" for abuse victims. Additionally, the athletes pointed out the problem of SafeSport's "exclusive jurisdiction," which prevents U.S. Soccer from pursuing its own investigations against suspected abusers when SafeSport administratively closes a case.

The players emphasized that U.S. Soccer is committed to taking proactive steps against suspected abusers, but SafeSport's current policies hinder their ability to participate in the process.

The letter urged Congress to pass legislation to reform SafeSport's procedures. As the U.S. women's team prepares to embark on their unprecedented bid for a third consecutive World Cup title, they seek support to create tangible changes in the fight against abuse within the sport.

Recently, the U.S. women's team received the ESPYs Arthur Ashe Award for Courage in recognition of their fight for equal pay in soccer.