As a reporter for The Washington Post and now ProPublica, I’ve investigated how youth sports organizations have failed to protect kids from sexual predators. I’ve spoken to dozens of parents. Some had children who were victimized by coaches. Others wanted to know how to keep their children safe.

Nearly every parent I’ve met said they didn’t have the information they needed to understand the system set up to protect their kids.

Here’s what you need to know (and how to get in touch with tips):

How is the system supposed to work?

The system revolves around one organization: the U.S. Center for SafeSport. SafeSport, as it’s known, is charged with investigating allegations of abuse at all levels of sport, from elite Olympic athletes to young recreational players. Its focus is sexual abuse, but it can also look into allegations of emotional and physical abuse.

The center has the power to suspend coaches as it investigates them, recording their names in a public database known as the SafeSport list. It can ultimately ban abusive coaches for life, declaring them “permanently ineligible.” It can also ban coaches based on certain types of criminal convictions, like those involving abuse of minors.

SafeSport was set up by Congress in 2018, in the wake of revelations about abuse by USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar and other prominent sports figures.

How do coaches get on the SafeSport list?

Coaches and club administrators are required to report misconduct to SafeSport, but anyone can make a report online or by phone.

SafeSport then decides whether to investigate; it doesn’t take every case. Usually........

© ProPublica