Mid State Sports Abuse Protocol
Mid State Sports prohibits and does not tolerate sexual abuse or misconduct in the workplace or during any organization-related activity. Mid State Sports provides procedures for employees, volunteers, or any other victims of sexual abuse or misconduct to report such acts. Those reasonably suspected or believed to have committed sexual abuse or misconduct will be reported to appropriate authorities as required, and may be subject to criminal investigation or prosecution. No employee, volunteer, or other person, regardless of his or her title or position has the authority to commit or allow sexual abuse or misconduct.
Definitions and Examples
The following definitions or examples of sexual abuse, misconduct or harassment, may apply to any and/or all of the following persons – employees, volunteers or other third-parties.
Sexual abuse or misconduct may include, but is not limited to:
- Child sexual abuse – any sexual activity, involvement or attempt of sexual contact with a person who is a minor (under 18 years old) where consent is not or cannot be given.
- Sexual activity with another who is legally incompetent or otherwise unable to give consent.
- Physical assaults or violence, such as rape, sexual battery, abuse, molestation or any attempt to commit such acts.
- Unwanted and intentional physical conduct that is sexual in nature, such as touching, pinching, patting, brushing, massaging someone’s neck or shoulders and/or pulling against another’s body or clothes.
- Material such as pornographic or sexually explicit images, posters, calendars or objects.
- Unwelcome and inappropriate sexual activities, advances, comments, innuendoes, bullying, jokes, gestures, electronic communications or messages (e.g. email, text, social media, voicemail), exploitation, exposure, leering, stalking or invasion of sexual privacy.
- A sexually hostile environment characterized as comments or conduct that unreasonably interferes with one’s work performance or ability to do the job or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
- Direct or implied threats that submission to sexual advances will be a condition of employment or affiliation with the organization.
Reporting Procedure
Immediately report suspected sexual abuse or misconduct by calling the Mid State Sports office number (615) 669-1281 or emailing info@midstateyouthsports.com.
Suspected Abuse of a Minor. Tennessee law requires any person who has knowledge of or reasonable cause to suspect child abuse, including child sexual abuse, to make a report to the appropriate authorities. Reports of suspected child abuse or neglect may be made to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services Child Abuse Hotline at 1-877-237-0004. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
Making a report to Mid State Sports does not replace or satisfy an individual’s obligation to make any report required by law. No person should delay a report to law enforcement or the appropriate protective services agency while awaiting an internal investigation or response from Mid State Sports.
It is not required to directly confront the person who is the source of a report, question, or complaint before making a report. Mid State Sports will take reasonable measures to ensure that individuals named in a complaint, or individuals whose relationship to those involved could reasonably call their impartiality into question, do not participate in the investigation.
Anti-retaliation and False Allegations
Mid State Sports prohibits retaliation made against any employee, volunteer, or other person who lodges a good faith complaint of sexual abuse or misconduct or who participates in any related investigation. Making knowingly false or malicious accusations of sexual abuse or misconduct can have serious consequences for those who are wrongly accused. Mid State Sports prohibits making false or malicious sexual misconduct allegations, as well as deliberately providing false information during an investigation. Anyone who violates this rule is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or membership/participation.
Investigation and Follow-up
Mid State Sports will take all allegations of sexual abuse or misconduct seriously and will promptly, thoroughly and equitably investigate whether misconduct has taken place. The organization may utilize an outside third-party to conduct an investigation of misconduct. Mid State Sports will cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by law enforcement or other regulatory/protective services agencies. Mid State Sports will make every reasonable effort to keep the matters involved in the allegation as confidential as possible while still allowing for a prompt and thorough investigation.
Reporting to Law Enforcement or Appropriate Child or Adult Protective Services
Mid State Sports is committed to following the state and federal legal requirements for reporting allegations or incidents of sexual abuse or misconduct to appropriate law enforcement and child or adult protective services organizations.
Employee and Worker Screening and Selection
As part of its sexual abuse and misconduct prevention program, Mid State Sports is committed to maintaining a screening program for prospective and existing employees, volunteers and others that may have interaction with those employed by, associating with or serviced by Mid State Sports. The organization may utilize a variety of methods of screening and selection, including but not limited to applications, personal interviews, criminal background checks and personal and professional references.
Supervision of Youth
To provide a safe environment for minors, Mid State Sports strives that a minimum of two adult workers supervise or be in attendance with minors during organization-related activities. The purpose is to avoid one-on-one interactions between adults and minors that are not easily observable by others.
