Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League

SafeSport Reporting Guide

Player Safety & Misconduct Reporting

CJSL is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all players. This page explains what to report, how to report it, and what clubs should do when a coach, staff member, volunteer, or adult participant is accused.

Report to SafeSport Quick Reference Contacts

Report a Concern

If you witness or experience misconduct at a game, practice, team event, or through digital communication, please report it. Player safety comes first.

Mandatory Reporting: Sexual misconduct, child abuse, and grooming behaviors must be reported directly to the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
Emergency or immediate danger: Call 911 immediately.

What Should Be Reported?

SafeSport / Abuse

  • Sexual misconduct
  • Child abuse
  • Grooming behavior
  • Physical abuse
  • Boundary violations

Discrimination

  • Racism or racial slurs
  • Gender-based harassment
  • Religious or cultural harassment
  • Threatening language

Sideline Misconduct

  • Parent aggression
  • Coach misconduct
  • Referee abuse
  • Player abusive language

Policy Violations

  • Improper supervision
  • One-on-one violations
  • Private late-night communication
  • Inappropriate social media contact

How to Report

Report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport

  • Visit safesport.org.
  • Reports can be submitted anonymously.
  • SafeSport is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Mandatory for sexual misconduct, child abuse, and grooming behavior.

Report to CJSL / ENYYSA When Appropriate

Game-related misconduct, referee abuse, sideline behavior, discrimination, threats, or league rule violations may also be reviewed through CJSL and/or ENYYSA discipline procedures.

Club Responsibilities When a Coach or Staff Member Is Accused

If a coach, assistant coach, trainer, manager, club administrator, volunteer, or adult participant is accused of SafeSport-related misconduct, clubs must act immediately and place player safety first.

Clubs should not conduct their own SafeSport investigation before reporting. Report first, protect players, preserve information, and cooperate with the proper authorities.

Immediate Club Action Steps

  • Ensure the immediate safety of the player or players involved.
  • Report mandatory matters directly to SafeSport.
  • Notify CJSL that a SafeSport-related concern has been reported.
  • Remove the accused adult from player contact while the matter is pending, when appropriate.
  • Preserve texts, emails, social media messages, schedules, rosters, and witness information.
  • Cooperate with SafeSport, U.S. Soccer, ENYYSA, and CJSL.

What Clubs Should Not Do

  • Do not delay reporting.
  • Do not try to resolve the matter privately.
  • Do not pressure or question the player, parent, or reporting person.
  • Do not retaliate against anyone involved.
  • Do not allow unsupervised player contact while the matter is pending, when safety concerns exist.
  • Do not discourage anyone from reporting to SafeSport.
U.S. Soccer SafeSport / Participant Safety Resource:
View U.S. Soccer Resource

What Happens After You Report?

1

Report Received

The report is logged and reviewed by the appropriate organization.

2

Triage & Escalation

The matter is reviewed to determine whether SafeSport, CJSL, ENYYSA, law enforcement, or another body should handle it.

3

Safety Measures

Interim safety measures may be applied to protect players while the matter is pending.

4

Review / Investigation

A formal review or investigation may be conducted where applicable.

5

Resolution

Outcomes and any disciplinary actions are documented and communicated as appropriate.

Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern in good faith is prohibited.

Real Examples

Grooming Behavior

A coach offers private training alone with a player and gives gifts.

Report directly to SafeSport.

Late-Night Private Messages

A coach privately texts a player late at night or through social media.

Report to SafeSport and notify the club/CJSL as appropriate.

Sideline Abuse

A parent repeatedly yells aggressively at players, coaches, or referees.

Report through CJSL discipline channels. If child safety concerns exist, also report to SafeSport.

Racial Slur

A player, coach, or spectator uses a racial slur during a game.

Report to CJSL/ENYYSA. If abuse or safety concerns exist, also report to SafeSport.

Know the Warning Signs

Behavioral Warning Signs

  • Sudden changes in behavior or mood
  • Withdrawal from teammates, friends, or family
  • Excessive private communication with a coach
  • Unexplained gifts, money, or special privileges
  • Reluctance to be alone with a specific adult

Grooming Warning Signs

  • Adult insisting on one-on-one time with a child
  • Secret-keeping between the adult and child
  • Private app communication or late-night messages
  • Discouraging a child from telling parents

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, report it.

Mandatory Reporting — Coaches & Staff

All CJSL coaches, team managers, administrators, and staff must report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse, sexual misconduct, or grooming directly to the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

You Cannot

Investigate on your own, wait to see if it happens again, or delegate your reporting obligation to someone else.

Quick Reference Contacts

Contact When to Use How to Reach
U.S. Center for SafeSport Sexual misconduct, child abuse, grooming, SafeSport policy violations, or athlete safety concerns. safesport.org
Available 24/7
CJSL / ENYYSA Discipline Game misconduct, sideline behavior, referee abuse, discrimination, threats, or league policy violations. Report through CJSL league reporting channels.
Emergency / 911 Immediate physical danger or active harm to a child. Call 911 immediately.

CJSL Commitment to Player Safety

CJSL prioritizes the safety and well-being of every player. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and acting in the best interest of our community. Every concern is taken seriously — every child deserves to play in a safe environment.