Athletes Equity Resource Center Inc

Abuse in sport is,unacceptable and establisning protocls to protect minors and advocating for safety in sport is essential. While the forming of the u.s. Center for safesport in 2017 was a step in the right direction, we,as athletes, coaches and sports, enthusiasts, have been disheartened by the lack of support of those going through the safesport process. Athletes should not be ignored when they express fear and concern. Nor should their sports governing body (ngb or lao) administrations and related entities be shielded when they fall to take action on reports, resulting in further harm to athletes they are supposed to protect. However, stories of re-traumatized victims and members of the public confused about their legal rights inspired the athletes equity resource center to launch, in the spring of 2021 as a 501(c)(3) organization. Our goal was to design a center to lend help navigating the challenges brought forth by the emotionally'charged events surrounding safesport reporting and investigations. The aerc has unwavering support for safesport's priniary mission of protecting athletes within the olympic movement from any threats of abuse. We also recognize that safespbrt was created out of the failure of national governing bodies:(ngbs)and the usopc to properly respond to credible reports of sexual abuse by trainers and officials; their failure to report these crimes to law enforcement; and their wiliingness to hide the extent of that abuse over decades all must be addressed. While the aerc does not handle individual cases, the center provides guidance and resource tools to victims,respondents via the athletes assistance program.