NERVA SafeSport

NERVA & SafeSport

The safety of its participants is of paramount importance to USA Volleyball and the New England Region. USA Volleyball has a ZERO TOLERANCE for abuse and misconduct. This includes not only on-court safety, but also off-court safety in any part of USA Volleyball’s programs.

Every season all Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Team Managers, Chaperones, Officials and Tournament Directors are required to complete a USAV Background Screening and complete the USA Volleyball SafeSport training.

  • For Athletes: Do You Feel Something Is Not Right? It’s important for every athlete to understand what unacceptable behavior is and when to reach out to an adult to ask for help and guidance. Click here for a PDF to help you understand: Athletes: It Doesn’t Feel Right
  • Athletes: Is It OK? You’ve heard your parents and coaches talk about abuse and misconduct, but what does that mean? Click here for a PDF that discusses situations to help you determine if something that happens to you or a teammate is ok, or if you should tell another adult: Not Sure If Something’s Okay
  • Grooming Behaviors: We can recognize sexual predators through an observable pattern of behaviors, known as grooming behaviors. Alone, many of these behaviors or similar behaviors may occur without these behaviors being part of a grooming process. While we want to closely examine any behaviors that may constitute grooming, it does not necessarily mean that the individual is a sexual predator. Nonetheless, here are a few things to look for. Click here for a PDF to learn more: Grooming Behaviors
If you have questions, want to disclose an incident or just need someone to talk with, SafeSport can help. For urgent matters please call or text our NERVA SafeSport Coordinator, Lindsay Desjardins, at (508) 808-3778!

*DO NOT use this number for Membership or Registration issues*

To email Lindsay directly, Click Here!
To file an Online Report, Click Here!

MAAPP At A Glance

USA Volleyball and the New England Region is required on an annual basis to communicate with all adult members the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP) and How to Report misconduct mechanisms! The Center created a shortened version of the MAAPP called MAAPP at a Glance which captures the key components of the MAAPP. To read the full MAAPP updated in 2022, please click here.

Important Resources

  • USA Volleyball & SafeSport Webpage: You can find more information, resources, and helpful videos for players to learn about safety.
  • Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies: The Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) outline training requirements and limit one-one-one interactions with minor athletes. The policies were updated and effective Sept. 1, 2021.
  • The 2022 MAAPP Manual: This manual has been organized into three major areas: Requirements for Organizations, Scope of the MAAPP, and Required Prevention Policies. Scenarios are provided for better understanding of the MAAPP.
  • The Safety Planning Toolkit: This toolkit provides information and guidance regarding the issuance and enforcement of Temporary Measures and safety plans with the goal of increasing athlete safety of involved parties during and after investigations. Case Studies are provided as examples of temporary measures.
  • Mandatory Reporting, Bullying, And Hazing Document: The Mandatory Reporting Bullying and Hazing document identifies Reporting obligations for Adult Participants, defines bullying behavior, and provides scenarios to understand the policy.
  • Emotional & Physical Abuse & Misconduct Toolkit: For coaches, volunteers, and others who work directly with young athletes. This toolkit will help you recognize, prevent, and respond to emotional and physical abuse and misconduct in your sport activities and environments.