SafeSport Locker Room Monitors

>> View USA Hockey Locker Room Documentation

The safety and well-being of participants is a foundational principle for USA Hockey, guiding every policy and initiative the organization undertakes. Recognizing the unique vulnerabilities faced by youth athletes, USA Hockey has developed an extensive framework of safety protocols, collectively known as USA Hockey Safe Sport. These measures address not only the physical demands of the sport but, crucially, the off-ice environment where supervision, trust, and vigilance are paramount.

USA Hockey SafeSport is the official program dedicated to off-ice safety, ensuring that every aspect of a participant’s experience—especially for youth athletes—remains free from harm. The program encompasses a robust array of policies targeting abuse in all its forms, from the physical to the emotional, and provides a comprehensive approach to misconduct prevention and response.

USA Hockey’s commitment to safety is neither new nor superficial. For years, the organization has established and refined systems to protect its members from physical abuse, sexual abuse, and other types of misconduct that can impact youth hockey players, coaches, officials, parents, and even spectators. These protective systems include, but are not limited to:

• Physical Abuse Prevention: Zero tolerance policies and swift investigative procedures in response to allegations of physical misconduct.
• Sexual Abuse Prevention: Mandatory reporting, extensive education, and strict prohibitions on one-on-one interactions in secluded spaces.
• Screening: Background checks and regular vetting of coaches, volunteers, and others in positions of authority or proximity to youth athletes.
• Locker Room Supervision: Active monitoring to ensure privacy, propriety, and the prevention of inappropriate behavior.
• Hazing Policies: Clear rules and firm consequences to eliminate initiation practices that can foster harm or humiliation.
• Codes of Conduct: Explicit behavioral standards for administrators, coaches, officials, parents, players, and spectators, fostering a culture of respect and accountability.

Through these systems, USA Hockey strives to create a safe and nurturing environment where all participants can thrive, learn, and enjoy the sport without fear of mistreatment.

Among the most critical components of USA Hockey’s Safe Sport program is the supervision of locker rooms. Locker rooms are inherently private spaces, but their seclusion can also make them venues for misconduct if left unsupervised. As such, USA Hockey mandates the presence of locker room monitors—adults entrusted with maintaining a safe, respectful, and abuse-free environment.

To ensure comprehensive supervision, USA Hockey requires parent volunteers to assist with locker room monitoring. This shared responsibility enhances the program’s effectiveness and fosters a community-wide commitment to participant safety.

All parent volunteers and other monitors must pass a background check and complete SafeSport training before serving as locker room monitors. This dual requirement ensures that every individual supervising youth participants has been vetted and is fully equipped to recognize, prevent, and appropriately respond to any potential misconduct or policy violations.

Locker room monitors are typically designated volunteers, team managers, or coaches who have undergone background screening and SafeSport training. These individuals are not merely chaperones; they are proactive agents who ensure that behavioral standards are upheld, that all interactions remain appropriate, and that any signs of misconduct are quickly addressed.

Responsibilities of Locker Room Monitors include:

• Maintaining a visible presence outside or inside the locker room during all periods of use.
• Supervising access to the locker room to prevent unauthorized entry and protect participants’ privacy.
• Ensuring that two adults are present whenever possible, mitigating risk and increasing accountability.
• Intervening promptly if any conduct violates the SafeSport Handbook, Codes of Conduct, or team policies.
• Documenting and reporting any suspicious or inappropriate behaviors according to SafeSport protocols.

Locker rooms, while essential for changing and preparation, can also be environments where bullying, hazing, or even more serious forms of abuse occur, often out of sight of coaches or parents. By requiring trained and vetted monitors, USA Hockey ensures that all participants—especially youth players—are protected from harm and that any potential problems are swiftly detected and addressed.

>> View the USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook

To unify and update its safety policies, USA Hockey has compiled the SafeSport Handbook, a living document that codifies best practices, reporting requirements, and protective measures. The Handbook consolidates all policies related to abuse and misconduct, including those for physical and sexual abuse, screening, locker room supervision, hazing, and Codes of Conduct.

This resource is designed to provide clear guidance for everyone involved in USA Hockey, from administrators to parents. By promoting education and accountability, the Handbook helps ensure that all participants understand their roles in maintaining a safe environment and the serious consequences for violations.

USA Hockey’s SafeSport initiatives are deeply rooted in transparency and accountability. Any adult participant or volunteer who violates SafeSport policies—whether through direct abuse or inappropriate conduct—faces serious consequences, including suspension or permanent bans.

For maximum transparency, USA Hockey provides a searchable database of individuals banned or suspended for SafeSport violations. The database, accessible online, allows the public to search by name and sport, ensuring that any person who has been found in violation cannot simply move to a new team or community without oversight.

USA Hockey’s approach to safety is dynamic, reflecting best practices and the evolving needs of its participants. All locker room monitors and adults in positions of authority are required to complete SafeSport training, which covers topics such as recognizing signs of abuse, proper boundaries, and the importance of timely reporting.

The organization also engages in ongoing education for parents, players, and volunteers, fostering a culture in which everyone is empowered to speak up and uphold the values of respect, safety, and inclusion.

The implementation of locker room monitors under the USA Hockey SafeSport program is more than a policy – it is a commitment to the safety and well-being of every participant. By prioritizing vigilance, education, and accountability, and by requiring active involvement and training from parents, USA Hockey stands as a model for other youth sports organizations across the country.

With robust systems in place and the unwavering support of the entire hockey community, USA Hockey continues to ensure that the rink and its surroundings are not only arenas for skill and competition, but also sanctuaries of safety and respect for all.

Since the team is all males this year, we need male volunteers to get SafeSport certified, background screened and sign up to be a monitor. Volunteer signups for each practice will be on Crossbar like we do with scorekeeping.

Step 1: Sign up to be a VHC Locker Room Monitor

Step 2: Register with USA Hockey as a Volunteer

Step 3: Complete SafeSport Training

Step 4: Pass a background screening - costs $30

Please contact the Vista Hockey President, Michael Boggs, if you have any questions: president@vistahockeyclub.org.