Be Alert and Aware!

If you haven't yet read the informative article written by Child Lures Prevention, an education partner of USA Gymnastics, in the November issue of Technique, click here to read the article and learn about the techniques offenders use to "groom" children - to slowly lure and manipulate youngsters into abuse, and warning signs of abuse.

When clubs are armed with this type of information, there is one obvious response - BE ALERT!

"No one wants to think about the possibility that sexual predators might be lurking in our gyms and programs. But if we want to keep our focus on developing strong, confident, and healthy kids within our communities, we must create an environment that is as safe for those children as possible. As gym owners we owe a responsibility to those children to be ever alert to the fact that predators have always and will always seek opportunities to gain access to our students."
David Holcomb
Buckeye Gymnastics
Columbus, OH

Now is the time to expand our collective thinking about a safe gymnastics environment beyond the obviously important physical-safety elements [e.g., mats, spotting] to include a focus on the environment in which we operate.

• We want persons who show inappropriate interest in children to know that club owners, administrative personnel, coaches, volunteers, officials and parents are alert and watching to make sure children are not hurt.
• We want would-be aggressors to know that gymnastics is a sport where there is zero opportunity for them to engage in any form of misconduct.

What can you do?

• Distribute the "7 Steps to Protecting Our Children" document to the families at your gym. Click here for a color copy. Click here for a black and white version.
• Include your policies and procedures relating to a safe gymnastics environment in the registration packets given to your club's families, and encourage their involvement to maintain a safe environment for all participants.
• Give your safe environment policies and procedures to persons applying to work, or interested in volunteering, at your club so they know and agree to uphold your club's standards before they are hired or engaged.
• Walk the walk and talk the talk - be a visible and audible presence in your gym consistently focusing on implementing your club's safe environment policies and procedures.
• Display your commitment to a safe gymnastics environment throughout your gym club. Click here to see an example courtesy of Kids First Sports Center and Boot Camp.

With 2013 just a few short weeks away, we must resolve to enter the new year with a renewed focus on a safe gymnastics environment. Continue to watch Technique and USA Gymnastics magazines for more informative articles, as well as your inbox for emails that will have easy-to-use templates and samples attached for your use.

Let's continue to show our gymnasts and their parents how much clubs care about them and their safety!

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