SafeSport Statistics (2026): Misconduct Reports, Training Completion & Youth Athlete Protection

In 2025, SafeSport fielded 9,683 reports of abuse and misconduct — a 19.6% increase from 2024. Our data-driven analysis shows the scale of the crisis and what organizations must do.

Since its establishment in 2017, the U.S. Center for SafeSport has become the nation's frontline defense against abuse in Olympic and Paralympic sports, receiving and investigating reports of emotional, physical, and sexual misconduct affecting over 11 million athletes. Yet the numbers tell a sobering story: SafeSport's caseload is expanding rapidly, allegations are shifting toward emotional harm, and thousands of organizations nationwide struggle to implement the policies and background screening required to protect young athletes. This report synthesizes the most recent 2025 data alongside proven best practices to give nonprofit and youth sports leaders the intelligence they need to strengthen their safeguarding infrastructure.

Methodology & Honesty Note: All figures below are sourced from official SafeSport annual reports (2023–2025), government research, peer-reviewed studies, and authoritative sport-sector sources. We do not estimate or extrapolate; any statistic we cannot verify to a named, credible source is omitted. Read times and content reflect data accurate as of July 2026.

Key takeaways

9,683 SafeSport reports filed in 2025 (19.6% increase year-over-year)

1.64M SafeSport online training courses completed in 2025

78% of athletes reporting emotional harm or neglect during sports

2,545 individuals on SafeSport's Centralized Disciplinary Database

SafeSport's Rising Caseload: The Numbers Behind the Crisis

SafeSport received 9,683 reports in 2025, up from 8,098 in 2024 and 7,533 in 2023 , marking sustained double-digit growth. This explosion in reporting reflects both increased awareness of abuse and a cultural shift in willingness to report misconduct. Anyone can make a report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport of abuse or misconduct involving one of 11+ million individuals in 50+ Olympic and Paralympic sports , and the volume indicates that word is spreading.

SafeSport Annual Report Filings U.S. Center for SafeSport

What's driving the surge? There was a 7.5 percent increase in reports of abuse and misconduct from 2023 to 2024, and an increase of more than 2,780 percent since 2017 , suggesting that transparency mechanisms and media awareness have made reporting both more viable and more visible. Yet this escalation comes with systemic costs: SafeSport leadership told Congress in 2024 that the Center would need $30 million in annual funding to keep up with the expanding caseload , underscoring how quickly demand has outpaced resources.

Anatomy of Allegations: What's Being Reported?

Not all misconduct allegations are equal. Of 8,065 allegations logged in 2025: 3,751 (46.5%) were emotional or physical misconduct, 1,414 (17.5%) were sexual misconduct, 861 (10.7%) were other inappropriate conduct, 801 (9.9%) were criminal misconduct, and 545 (6.8%) were violations of Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) . This distribution marks a significant shift in the pattern of allegations.

46.5%

17.5%

10.7%

9.9%

2025 SafeSport Allegations by Type SwimSwam/SafeSport 2025 Report

While 2025 did see a decline in allegations of sexual misconduct, the opposite can be stated for emotional and physical misconduct allegations. Though the rise in emotional and physical abuse is not the desired direction, the same cannot be said about sexual misconduct numbers, as the annual report shows a decrease year over year in relation to sexual misconduct allegations . In 2025, the number of sexual misconduct cases reported was 1,414, which was down from 1,458 in 2024 —a hopeful sign, but shadowed by the surge in emotional abuse reports.

Training Compliance: Education as Prevention

One of SafeSport's most tangible preventive tools is mandatory training for coaches, volunteers, and administrators. In 2025, 1,641,420 online education courses were completed; that number was up from 1,574,923 in 2024 . This 4.2% year-over-year growth shows growing engagement with abuse-prevention education across the movement.

2024 1.57M

2025 1.64M

SafeSport Training Courses Completed SwimSwam/SafeSport 2025 Report

The Core course is a 90-minute training program that adults must complete when they first enter a youth sports organization that's NGB-affiliated, and Refresher courses are taken annually for the subsequent three years . Yet training alone is not sufficient: Every US youth sports organization working with minors must have a child protection policy, background checks for all adults in regular contact, and SafeSport training for coaches and volunteers .

The Disciplinary Database: Who Gets Banned?

SafeSport maintains a public Centralized Disciplinary Database (CDD) that lists individuals restricted or banned from competition. As of the end of 2025, there were 2,545 individuals on the Centralized Disciplinary Database, of which 51.1% were "ineligible," and 37.5% were permanently banned; that's 88.6% of the total . This substantial and growing list serves as both accountability and deterrent.

Ineligible (Temporary) 51.1%

Permanently Ineligible (Banned) 37.5%

Other Status 11.4%

Status Distribution in SafeSport's Centralized Disciplinary Database (2,545 individuals, end of 2025) The Sports Examiner

However, the database reflects only cases that SafeSport has resolved with formal findings. Since inception, SafeSport rejected 63.5% of cases either for lack of jurisdiction, or determining that discretionary matters should not be reviewed because they do not "involve severe injuries" or are related to a matter where SafeSport has exclusive jurisdiction . This gatekeeping means many alleged abusers never appear on the public list.

The Athlete Perspective: Prevalence of Emotional and Physical Harm

Official SafeSport data captures only reported cases—a fraction of the true scope of abuse in youth sports. According to a 2024 survey by the Center for SafeSport, 78 percent of athletes reported experiencing behaviors related to emotional harm and neglect during their sports involvement . This staggering statistic reveals that the majority of young athletes encounter some form of harmful behavior, even if the majority of incidents are never formally reported.

78%

22%

Athlete Experiences of Emotional Harm & Neglect (2024 Survey) Cronkite News / SafeSport

On sexual abuse specifically, research is sobering: Research suggests that sexual abuse in sports impacts between 2% to 8% of all athletes , and according to the CDC, about one in four girls and one in 13 boys in the United States experience child sexual abuse at some point — statistics that are almost certainly an undercount . With an estimated 27.3 million children (ages 6-17) participating in sports, the opportunity for abuse is rampant .

Jurisdictional Complexity: Case Resolution and Closure Rates

A critical friction point in the SafeSport system is jurisdictional scope. National Governing Bodies retain jurisdiction over many types of allegations, while The Center for SafeSport focuses primarily on cases of sexual misconduct, where they have exclusive jurisdiction. The Center also has discretionary jurisdiction in cases of non-sexual child abuse, emotional and physical misconduct, other criminal charges or dispositions, MAAPP violations, or violations relating to abuse of process .

Jurisdictional Decline or No Jurisdiction 63.5%

Cases Resulting in Violations or Findings 31.9%

Administrative Closure or Hold 24.9%

SafeSport Case Outcomes (All Cases Since Inception) The Sports Examiner

On the positive side, as of January 1, 2026, the number of two-or-more-year cases sat at 26, which is a 74.8% decrease from 2024, in which the center had 103 cases open , showing substantial improvement in case resolution timelines. Over a two-year cycle (between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2026), the average case resolution time fell further , a sign that despite resource constraints, SafeSport is speeding up case processing.

Screening Requirements Across National Governing Bodies

Because SafeSport's jurisdiction covers Olympic and Paralympic sports, individual National Governing Bodies (NGBs) set their own background check and screening standards, though many defer to SafeSport's model. Under United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) policy, NGBs must conduct periodic background checks on any individual authorized, approved, or appointed to (a) serve in a position of authority over athletes or (b) have regular contact with athletes . Among the key items NCSI will be researching will be convictions including felonies, driving under the influence, sex and drug-related crimes, as well as identity verification .

It is the policy of USA Roller Sports that all athletes, coaches, officials, club officers, board members, members of committee, professional staff, volunteer staff, who are over the age of 18, who have frequent contact with athletes complete the U.S. Center for SafeSport's required training, before making contact with athletes, and in any event within their first 60 days. It is also the policy of USA Roller Sports that all athletes, coaches, officials, club officers, board members, members of committee, professional staff, volunteer staff, who are over the age of 18, who have frequent contact with athletes complete a Background screening through the National Center for Safety Initiatives .

SafeSport Training (Core/Refresher) Required

Background Check (Periodic) Most NGBs

Reference Checks (Last 3 Employers) Recommended

Typical SafeSport Compliance Requirements for NGBs VolunteerBadge Compliance Guide

For youth sports organizations that fall outside USOPC's scope, compliance is less uniform. That's why nonprofits and community organizations should adopt SafeSport-aligned practices independently, even if federal law does not mandate them.

What This Means for Your Volunteer Program

SafeSport's data makes one thing crystal clear: abuse in youth sports is pervasive, and safeguarding is not optional. Whether your organization falls under the USOPC umbrella or operates independently, the statistics demand action. NGBs now require SafeSport compliance as a condition of membership. USA Swimming's Club Recognition Program, US Youth Soccer's Player Safety initiatives, Little League's chartering requirements—these aren't suggestions. Lose your membership and your teams can't compete in sanctioned events, your members may lose insurance coverage, and your access to NGB coaching certifications and grants evaporates .

The foundation of any safeguarding program is background screening. VolunteerBadge offers $5 FCRA-compliant background checks with identity verification—no monthly fees, no contract lock-in. Combined with character reference checks and SafeSport training completion tracking, you can build a comprehensive screening infrastructure that meets both federal and NGB requirements. For detailed guidance on implementing a full screening program, read our Background Checks for Nonprofits: Complete Guide 2026.

Every 78% of athletes experiencing emotional harm is a call to action. Organizations that invest in screening and training now protect their young athletes, reduce liability, and signal to families that safety is the organization's highest priority. Read more on child safety best practices and explore how background checks fit into a complete youth sports volunteer vetting strategy.

Ready to strengthen your safeguarding? Get started with VolunteerBadge's affordable, FCRA-compliant background check service—trusted by nonprofits nationwide.

Start Screening Volunteers Today

Download the data

All statistics, sources, and figures from this report are available for download and analysis.

⬇ Download the data (.xlsx)

Frequently asked questions

Q: Who does SafeSport have jurisdiction over?
SafeSport has authority over individuals in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement—approximately 11 million individuals across 50+ Olympic and Paralympic sports at national, regional, and local levels. Non-Olympic youth sports organizations typically fall outside SafeSport's jurisdiction but are encouraged to adopt SafeSport-aligned practices.

Q: What's the difference between "ineligible" and "permanently ineligible" status?
Temporary ineligibility is a restriction that may be lifted after a period or upon fulfillment of conditions; permanent ineligibility is a lifetime ban from participation in the sport. Both statuses are listed on SafeSport's public Centralized Disciplinary Database.

Q: How long does SafeSport take to resolve a case?
As of early 2026, SafeSport's average case resolution time had improved significantly, with only 26 cases older than two years (down from 103 in 2024). However, many cases still take months to years to fully resolve, depending on complexity and appeal processes.

Q: Can my youth organization implement SafeSport without being required to by federal law?
Yes—and it's recommended. Many youth sports organizations, schools, and nonprofits voluntarily adopt SafeSport policies and training even if not mandated by USOPC. This demonstrates commitment to athlete safety and aligns your practices with national standards.

Q: Why are emotional and physical misconduct allegations rising while sexual misconduct cases are declining?
Increased reporting and awareness likely play a role in both trends. Sexual misconduct training and public scandals may be driving more careful conduct, while better recognition of emotional abuse (bullying, harsh language, excessive criticism) has increased reporting. The overall rise in allegations also reflects cultural change and accessibility of reporting channels.

Q: What happens if SafeSport declines jurisdiction over a case?
If SafeSport declines jurisdiction, the case is typically referred back to the relevant National Governing Body (NGB) or local authorities. NGBs may issue warnings, require education, or impose their own sanctions. This creates a two-tier system where outcomes vary by organization.