Locker Room Monitor Policy
In addition to the development of our hockey players and enjoyment of the sport of hockey, the safety and protection of our participants is central to SAHA’s goals. SAHA adheres to USA Hockey’s SafeSport Program as a means to help protect its participants from physical abuse, sexual abuse and other types of misconduct, including emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing. To help prevent abuse or misconduct from occurring in our locker rooms, SAHA has adopted the following locker room policy. This policy is designed to maintain personal privacy as well as to reduce the risk of misconduct in locker rooms. At the Subway Center there are 9 locker rooms available for our program’s use. 8 of the locker rooms have shared restroom and shower areas, with one reserved for Female’s on Co-ed teams.
Locker Room Monitoring (squirts and older)
SAHA has predictable and limited use of locker rooms and changing areas (e.g., generally 30-45 minutes before and following practices and games). While constant monitoring inside of locker rooms and changing areas might be the most effective way to prevent problems, we understand that this would likely make some players uncomfortable and may even place our staff at risk for unwarranted suspicion. A coach or voluntary locker room monitors (of the same gender of players being monitored, each of which has been screened) should be in the locker room or directly outside of the locker room and changing areas during periods of use so that only participants (coaches and players), approved team personnel are permitted in the locker room. Team personnel will also secure the locker room appropriately during times when the team is on the ice. It is not acceptable under USA Hockey’s Sexual Abuse Policy for persons to be observing the opposite gender while they dress or undress.
Parents in Locker Rooms
Except for players at the younger age groups, mites and under, SAHA discourage parents from entering locker rooms unless it is truly necessary, medical assistance or other special situations. We encourage parents to teach their players as young as possible how to get dressed so that players will learn as early as possible how to get dressed independently. In circumstances where parents are permitted in the locker room (mite’s and younger), coaches are permitted to ask the parents leave for a short time before the game and for a short time after the game so that the coaches may address the players.
Mixed Gender Teams
Some of our teams consist of both male and female players. It is important that the privacy rights of all of our players are given consideration and appropriate arrangements made. Where possible, SAHA will have the male and female players dress/undress in separate locker rooms and then convene in a single locker room before the game or team meeting. Once the game or practice is finished, the players may come to one locker room for a team meeting and then the male and female players proceed to their separate locker rooms to undress and shower, if available. If separate locker rooms are not available, then the players will take turns using the locker room to change. We understand that these arrangements may require that players arrive earlier or leave later to dress, but believe that this is the most reasonable way to accommodate and respect all of our players. It is not acceptable under USA Hockey’s Sexual Abuse Policy for persons to be observing the opposite gender while they dress or undress.
Prohibited Conduct and Reporting
SAHA prohibits all types of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing, all as described in the USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook. Participants, employees or volunteers in SAHA may be subject to disciplinary action for violation of these locker room policies or for engaging in any misconduct or abuse or that violates the USA Hockey SafeSport Policies.
SAHA Head Coaches are responsible for their team’s actions and safety in the locker room. Head Coaches are authorized to make “team rules” for the protection of their players, I.E. no sitting on the floor in the locker room or anything they feel is appropriate for the age group being coached.
The USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook can be found here.
SAHA’s SafeSport Coordinator is Sam Tikka.