Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP)

The MAAPP applies to Adult Participants and their interactions with Minor Athletes in conjunction with USA Cycling activities. USA Cycling LAs and Clubs must adhere to MAAPP.

Establishing clear boundaries reduces the risk of physical, sexual, and emotional misconduct as well as opportunities for bullying, harassment, and hazing. Furthermore, the majority of child sexual abuse is perpetrated in isolated, one-on-one situations. By reducing such interaction between children and adults, programs reduce the risk of child sexual abuse. However, one-on-one time with trusted adults is also healthy and valuable for a child. Policies concerning one-on-one interactions protect children while allowing for these beneficial relationships. 

The U.S. Center for SafeSport and USAC recognize that youth-adult relationships can be healthy and valuable for development. Policies on one-on-one interactions protect children while allowing for these beneficial relationships. As child sexual abuse is often perpetrated in isolated, one-on-one situations, it is critical that organizations limit such interactions between youth and adults and implement programs that reduce the risk of sexual abuse.

The following policies have been adopted by USA Cycling (USAC) to establish clearly defined boundaries between participants in cycling and to reduce isolated one-on-one interactions between children and adults in cycling.

A. Out-of-Program Contact

Adult Participants, who do not meet the Close-in-Age Exception nor have a Dual Relationship with a Minor Athlete, should not have out-of-program contact with Minor Athlete(s) without legal/parent guardian consent, even if the out-of-program contact is not one-on-one.

B. Gifting

1. Adult Participants, who do not meet the Close-in-Age Exception nor have a Dual Relationship with a Minor Athlete, should not give personal gifts to Minor Athlete(s).
2. Gifts that are equally distributed to all athletes and serve a motivational or education purpose are permitted.

C. Photography/Video

1. Photographs or videos of athletes may only be taken in public view and must observe generally accepted standards of decency.
2. Adult Participants should not publicly share or post photos or videos of Minor Athlete(s) if the Adult Participant has not obtained the Parent/Guardian and Minor Athlete’s consent.