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Reporting Overview

 

Anyone can report any known or suspected Safeguarding Program violations to the USGA.    Violations include any Prohibited Conduct, including child abuse, sexual misconduct, emotional or physical misconduct, violations of the Prevention Policies and other types of misconduct set forth in the Prohibited Conduct Policy.  

USGA will receive reports involving any USGA Teams and the U.S. National Development Program, including the National Teams, State Teams, and Grants program.   

Reports can be made through the USGA’s online form or by calling the USGA Safeguarding hotline. There are no associated costs, fees or other financial barriers attached to submitting a report. 

When reporting you may provide your name or report anonymously.  Either way, your report is important to us and will be handled promptly. 

Reporting can be difficult, and if you need any advice or help in making your report, please contact USGA Safeguarding staff at Safeguarding@usga.org

Mandatory Reporting Obligation:

Pursuant to applicable federal and various state laws, any adult who learns of allegations of child abuse or learns of facts that give reason to suspect that a child has suffered an incident of child abuse, including sexual abuse, must make a report to law enforcement and/or your state’s designated agency within 24 hours. In addition, all Adult Participants who are subject to the USGA Safeguarding Program must immediately report alleged or suspected child abuse to the USGA.  

Reports must be made immediately both to relevant law enforcement and the USGA. Reporting to USGA will not fulfill your obligation under federal law—you must still report to law enforcement.   

After receiving a report of alleged or suspected child abuse, USGA will promptly report and refer the information to the relevant law enforcement for investigation and further handling.     Investigations will be conducted solely by appropriate law enforcement.  

 

HOW AND WHERE TO REPORT: 

Reporting to Law Enforcement 

Immediately report to law enforcement suspicions or allegations of:

  • Child Abuse

  • Sexual abuse or misconduct involving a minor

  • Sexual Misconduct that involves possible criminal conduct

Reports of any such child abuse or sexual misconduct must also be made to the USGA; however, investigations will be conducted solely by appropriate law enforcement.    

For information about how and where to report to law enforcement, visiting the following: 

 

Reporting to USGA

Report to USGA allegations or suspicions of other Safeguarding Program violations, including:

  • Child Abuse

  • Sexual Misconduct 

  • Emotional and Physical Misconduct

  • Criminal Charges or Dispositions 

  • Aiding and Abetting 

  • Violation of the Prevention Policies  

  • Misconduct Relating to Reporting

  • Misconduct Relating to Safeguarding Processes

  • Retaliation 

  • Other Inappropriate Conduct 

 

Reports may be made to USGA as follows:

  • Phone at 855-874-2744

 

All reports will be initially reviewed by USGA and assessed as to which entity has jurisdiction over the matter.  

  • Reports of any child abuse or sexual misconduct involving possible criminal conduct received by USGA will promptly be referred to the relevant law enforcement for investigation and further handling.     

  • Reports involving other types of Prohibited Conduct that involve any USGA Team or the USNDP National Teams or Grant program will be handled by USGA.

  • Reports involving USNDP State Teams that are deemed severe will be further handled and investigated, if needed, by USGA.  Reports involving USNDP State Teams that are not deemed severe will be referred to the organization operating the applicable State Team for further handling.     

 

No one should investigate suspicions or allegations of abuse or misconduct or attempt to evaluate the credibility or validity of allegations or information learned as a condition of reporting.  For more information see the USGA Safeguarding Program Policies.