DSYBS SAFESPORT POLICY

 Dover Sherborn Youth Baseball & Softball (“DSYBS”) has zero tolerance for any type of abuse against a minor, including, but not limited to, sexual abuse, physical abuse, mental, and emotional abuse (as well as any type of bullying, hazing, or harassment).

DSYBS adopts the following policy (“Policy”) regarding Abuse Awareness, Prevention and Reporting Policy in compliance with the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and SafeSport Authorization Act of 2017 (“SafeSport Act”). In compliance with the SafeSport Act, it is the Policy of DSYBS that:

1. All Adult Members of DSYBS (defined to include managers, coaches, assistant coaches, Board members and other adults who are authorized by DSYBS to provide regular service to the league and have regular contact with players) are covered by this Policy.
2. Under the SafeSport Act, Adult Members are now mandated reporters and could face criminal charges if they do not report, as set forth in this Policy, any witnessed act or suspected act of child abuse (“the physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, or negligent treatment of a child”) within 24 hours of witnessing such occurrence.
3. The league will provide training to all Adult Members in order to understand the definitions of the above behaviors, and their reporting obligations, as well as league policies regarding appropriate and prohibited one-on-one interactions.
   

 Additional resources and training course can be found on the Little League website.

REPORTING OBLIGATIONS & PROCEDURE
Any Adult Member of DSYBS who learns of facts that give reason to suspect that a child has suffered an incident of child abuse shall make and submit a report to the Department of Children & Families:

Monday - Friday: 8:45 am-5:00 pm

Nights, weekends, and holidays dial the Child-at-Risk Hotline at (800) 792-5200. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

Additional information can be found on the Mass.gov website.

In addition to reporting to DCF, you are also expected to report any such incident to the DSYBS President or Safety Officer such that appropriate action may be taken by the League; provided that if such individual is suspected wrongdoer, the report shall not be submitted to the alleged wrongdoer.

RETALIATION
Any retaliation taken by an Adult Member against any individual who files a good faith report under this Policy is prohibited and may result in the immediate termination of such Adult Member from DSYBS, whose action shall not limit the rights of any other person.

ONE ON ONE INTERACTIONS WITH MINORS
Adult Members should not allow themselves to be alone with a minor (who is not their own child) and should always position themselves in an area where they can be observed and interrupted by others, except in emergency situations. Adult members should adhere to the best practice available in Little League International’s Child Protection Program (see link below) regarding permitted and prohibited one-on-one interactions.

LITTLE LEAGUE® CHILD PROTECTION PROGRAM

This Policy does not replace, alter or amend any other reporting or other policies of DSYBS including, without limitation, DSYBS’s Code of Conduct, Zero Tolerance Policy, or any registration requirements or the performing of background checks. 

Adopted by DSYBS Board of Directors on March 9, 2023