SafeSport Expert Shares Advice and Resources for Parents and Coaches in Recognition of Bullying Prevention Month

Video clips for media, resources, and interview availability with practical tips

DENVER, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Bullying Prevention Month (October), the U.S. Center for SafeSport shared resources, advice, and practical tips for parents and coaches to better prevent bullying in sports.

Media Clips
Short video clips featuring SafeSport Vice President for Education & Research, Monica Rivera, are available for download and use by accredited media outlets on topics like signs and symptoms of bullying, talking to kids about bullying, and what to do if you think your child might be engaging in bullying behaviors.

"To truly prevent bullying, we need to recognize when a young person may be struggling and respond to those needs before it shows up as harmful behavior," said Monica Rivera, Vice President, Education & Research at SafeSport. "Early intervention, accountability, and support can help interrupt cycles of harm and create safer, more inclusive environments for all athletes. Parents and coaches play a crucial role."

Interview Availability: Monica Rivera is also available for recorded interviews on bullying prevention. Monica has spent more than two decades in the field of interpersonal violence prevention, much of that time working directly with survivors of abuse. She has been a featured expert on CBS Evening News, NPR, PBS, and in The Atlantic, and has presented a TEDx Talk. To request an interview, email [email protected].

"While we should keep our sights on preventing bullying in sport year-round, we can take this moment to spotlight our collective responsibility to foster safe and healthy environments for young athletes in every arena," SafeSport CEO and Olympic gold medalist Benita Fitzgerald Mosley said.

Additional Resources

• "Could my kid be the bully?" Four Steps to Changing the Cultural Narrative Around Bullying resource for tangible steps for shifting sport culture and interrupting cycles of bullying behavior.
• SafeSport's Prevent Bullying in Sport webpage for more information and resources, including:
  • Bullying Prevention Handbook for Coaches of Minor Athletes,
  • Bullying 101: Understanding & Responding, and
  • Coaches' Bullying Behavior Discussion Guide.

Need for Abuse Prevention in Sport  
The U.S. Center for SafeSport is the nation's only independent organization dedicated to ending sexual, physical, and emotional abuse in U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sport. SafeSport emerged in response to high-profile cases of sexual abuse of minor athletes within Olympic and Paralympic sport in the mid-2010s. With the mission of leading the movement to make sports safer for all, SafeSport has since been setting safety policies, and receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints of abuse and misconduct. SafeSport also serves as an educational resource for sports organizations at all levels, from recreational sports organizations to professional leagues.

With the goal of ensuring athletes within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement are safe, supported, and strengthened, SafeSport:

• Establishes safety policies, including the SafeSport Code and the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP),
• Investigates and resolves allegations of abuse and misconduct and levies sanctions, including temporary and permanent bans from Olympic and Paralympic Sport,
• Delivers comprehensive abuse prevention education within and outside of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and
• Implements a comprehensive audit and compliance function over all National Governing Bodies (NGBs) within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement to ensure adherence to safety, abuse prevention, and accountability standards.

About the U.S. Center for SafeSport
The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 codified the U.S. Center for SafeSport, as the nation's safe sport organization. It furthered SafeSport's independence while underscoring its authority to hold individuals accountable. It also charged SafeSport with developing policies, procedures, and training to prevent abuse and misconduct in sport.

In October of 2020, the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020 became law, even further strengthening SafeSport's independence and oversight functions while mandating minimum funding requirements for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

SafeSport opened its doors in March of 2017.

Reporting and Resources
Report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport if you have experienced abuse or misconduct—or if you have reasonable suspicion of abuse or misconduct—inflicted by someone in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. You can also call SafeSport at 833-587-7233 to make a report or ask questions about the reporting process. The hotline is staffed from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (MT), and you can leave a voicemail if calling after hours.

RAINN's 24/7 online hotline is available for crisis intervention, referrals, or emotional support at any time. You can also call RAINN at: 800-656-HOPE (4673).

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support at 988lifeline.org or by calling 988.

SOURCE U.S. Center for SafeSport