ABUSE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR COACHES/VOLUNTEERS

(Includes Bullying/Hazing Policies)

CHILD ABUSE AND/OR NEGLECT 

All coaches/volunteers must be aware that they are required by law, RSA 169-C:29, to report any suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. Coaches/volunteers who report suspected cases are also protected by the law, which provides them with immunity from civil prosecution. Coaches/volunteers must follow the referral procedures described herein to facilitate the reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect.

RSA 169-C:3 II defines an abused child as any child under the age of 18 years who has been

• sexually abused; or

• intentionally physically injured; or

• psychologically injured such that the child exhibits symptoms of emotional problems generally recognized to result from consistent mistreatment or neglect; or

• physically injured by other than accidental means. 

RSA 169-C:3 XIX defines a neglected child as a child under the age of 18 years

• who has been abandoned by their parents, guardians, or custodian; or

• who is without proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or other care or control necessary for their physical, mental, or emotional health when it is established that their health has suffered or is very likely to suffer serious impairment; and deprivation is not due primarily to the lack of financial means of the parents, guardian, or custodian; or

• whose parents, guardians, or custodians are unable to discharge their responsibilities to and for the child because of incarceration, hospitalization, or other physical or mental incapacity. 

• However, no child who, in good faith, under treatment solely by spiritual means through prayer in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination by a duly accredited practitioner thereof shall, for that reason alone, be considered a neglected child.

Referral Procedures 

Coaches/volunteers will report suspected child abuse and/or neglect to the HGSL Board Director and/or Assistant Director, who will be responsible in assisting coach/volunteer for notifying the Hudson Police Department immediately. 

BULLYING  

Bullying may be physical, verbal, emotional or sexual in nature.  It is defined as insults, taunts, or challenges, whether verbal or physical in nature, which are likely to intimidate or provoke a violent or disorderly response from the athlete being treated in this manner.  Bullying may rise to the level of harassment or child abuse if severe or pervasive.

In accordance with RSA 193-F, HGSL will not condone athlete bullying, will take all reasonable measures to prevent bullying, and will report incidents of bullying to the appropriate law enforcement agency if necessary.  It is the obligation of the coach/volunteer who is present at or otherwise has knowledge of any athlete bullying to report such acts immediately to the HGSL Board Director and/or Assistant Director. 

HAZING 

Athlete hazing is any act directed toward an athlete or any coercion or intimidation of an athlete to act or to participate in or to submit to any act when

• such an act is likely or would be perceived by a reasonable person as likely to cause physical or psychological injury to any person; and

• such an act is a condition of initiation into, admission into, continued membership in, or association with any organization.

In accordance with New Hampshire law, RSA 631:7, HGSL will not condone athlete hazing, will take all reasonable measures to prevent athlete hazing, and will report all instances of such misconduct to law enforcement authorities. It is the obligation of the coach/volunteer who is present at or otherwise has knowledge of any athlete hazing to report such acts immediately to the HGSL Board Director and/or Assistant Director.