DENVER — USA Swimming has added technology to its abuse reporting system. This will improve communication between those coordinating the investigation and those who wish to remain anonymous.
The organization announced a deal with RealResponse on Monday. This is International Safe Sport Day.
Her one feature of RealResponse's technology is the ability to exchange information via text with anonymous reporters. Reporters do not have to identify themselves. Organizations can take more decisive action if victims or witnesses name their reports, but anonymous reporting is very important.
RealResponse developed technology . This allows the reporter to submit a report of abuse via text, and the person receiving the report can follow up while keeping the reporter's name anonymous.
"Previously, we were able to receive anonymous reports, but if you have additional questions, don't have enough information, or just want to let them know what we're doing, There was no way to follow up with that individual in the case," said Abigail Howard, who oversees USA Swimming's director of safe sports programs.
USA Swimming plans to make the technology available to approximately 400,000 members.
Some national governing bodies have failed to protect them. From the abuse by the coach who is the defendant in the lawsuit. In 2010, USA Swimming's former executive director, the late Chuck Wiergas, was accused of ignoring or disrespecting dozens of cases of sexual abuse. About 150 swim coaches have since been banned by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, which was set up in response to incidents in swimming, gymnastics and other Olympic sports.
Affiliated with SafeSport Center No, but RealResponse launched its proprietary technology five years ago to help organizations streamline reporting and better track how cases are handled and resolved. In some cases, organizations face legal challenges due to inadequate documentation of how they responded when informed of incidents.
According to company founder David Chadwick, the mission is to "provide a safe place for people to speak up, and do it in a way that is actually accessible and easy to use. Frankly, it's about helping the leaders of these organizations identify and solve problems faster before they become bigger crises.”
RealResponse has over 100 college sports programs, a handful of NFL teams, and the National Women's Soccer League. In the Olympic arena, USA Swimming joins organizations that have signed USA Track and Field, US Equestrian, USA Gymnastics, and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.