U.S. Figure Skating, as well as our Reading Figure Skating Club, strive to provide a safe environment for its members that is free of misconduct and harassment. The association will not tolerate or condone any form of harassment or misconduct of any of its members, including athletes, coaches, officials, directors, employees, parents, volunteers or any other persons while they are participating in or preparing for a figure skating activity or event conducted under the auspices of U.S. Figure Skating. All forms of misconduct are unacceptable and in direct conflict with U.S. Figure Skating rules.
The U.S. Figure Skating SkateSafe Program addresses the following types of misconduct:
- Sexual misconduct
- Physical misconduct
- Emotional misconduct
- Bullying, threats and harassment
- Hazing
- Willfully tolerating misconduct
As a member organization of USFSA, the Reading Figure Skating Club endorses this important code of conduct. Importantly, our coaches are in compliance with USFSA requirements for bi-annual background screening and SkateSafe training. Additionally, they are required to have obtained the PA Child Abuse History clearance and the PA State Police Criminal History clearance.
As part of our membership package, skaters and parents must acknowledge our code of conduct and SkateSafe guidelines. Any direct volunteers with our club will also be required to obtain both the PA Child Abuse History clearance and the PA State Police Criminal History clearance. Direct volunteers are defined as those who provide care, supervision, guidance or control, or who have routine interaction with children. Routine interaction is regular or repeated contact with children that is integral to the volunteer responsibilities. This information is in compliance with PA Dept. of Health Keep Kids Safe requirements.
Any violations of SkateSafe should be reported confidentially to our SkateSafe Compliance Chair at rfscsafesport@gmail.com
The following link will take you to the U.S. Figure Skating SkateSafe information page where you will find the Handbook, links to report experienced or suspected abuse and other resources.
https://www.usfigureskating.org/SkateSafe
The following link will take you to the PA Department of Health Keep Kids Safe page where you will find links to obtain clearances and other resources.