Wellesley Youth Baseball and Softball (“WYBS” or the “League”) 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).

WYBS 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 the WYBS that:

1. All Adult Members of the League (defined to include managers, coaches, assistant coaches, Board members and other adults who are authorized by the League 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.

Training can be found at the following link:

https://www.littleleague.org/player-safety/child-protection-program/safesport-resources-parents/?utm_source=Rulebook%20App&utm_medium=SafeSport&utm_campaign=Rulebook%20App

REPORTING OBLIGATIONS & PROCEDURE
Any Adult Member of the League 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.

DCF Arlington Area Office
30 Mystic Street, Arlington, MA 02474
781-641-8500

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.

More information on how to report can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/report-child-abuse-or-neglect

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

RETALIATION
Any retaliation taken by any 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 the League, which 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 practices available in Little League International’s Child Protection Program (See link below) regarding permitted and prohibited one-on-one interactions.

https://www.littleleague.org/downloads/ll-child-protection-program/

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

For a printable copy, click here.