WAG Why doesn't USAG require fingerprinting?

[Dahlia]

Most jobs where you work directly with children require fingerprint clearance. Has USAG considered adding this as part of safesport? It would prevent a gym from unknowingly (or knowingly) employing a pedophile such as happened in this case: https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/lo...ed-for-child-pornography-in-england/769256921

(USAG did suspend the owner and revoked gym member status in this case)

 

[Jard.the.gymnast]

Wouldn't the organizations be the gyms? That would still make it harder.

And at least at this point, USAG doesn't have the money for something like that.

 

[Dahlia]

Wouldn't the organizations be the gyms? That would still make it harder.

And at least at this point, USAG doesn't have the money for something like that.

Money? Teachers pay for their own fingerprinting which is done through law enforcement. Safesport requires background checks already, which I assume clubs or individuals pay for. Fingerprinting is another background check.

 

[skschlag]

Most jobs where you work directly with children require fingerprint clearance. Has USAG considered adding this as part of safesport? It would prevent a gym from unknowingly (or knowingly) employing a pedophile such as happened in this case: https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/lo...ed-for-child-pornography-in-england/769256921

(USAG did suspend the owner and revoked gym member status in this case)

The gym my son worked at required fingerprinting for everyone over 18. His current gym he trains at does as well. Of course, it only catches those who have been convicted, which a background check will typically give you as well.

In this case, it sounds like there was more than we are getting. Not sure how you fool a background check when you are a L1 offender, but he had some skills in that arena.

I did assume that all clubs required the fingerprinting.

 

[Dahlia]

The gym my son worked at required fingerprinting for everyone over 18. His current gym he trains at does as well. Of course, it only catches those who have been convicted, which a background check will typically give you as well.

In this case, it sounds like there was more than we are getting. Not sure how you fool a background check when you are a L1 offender, but he had some skills in that arena.

I did assume that all clubs required the fingerprinting.

He entered his father's information into the background check system (gym owner let him enter his own) and the owner did not verify. Fingerprinting would have caught this guy.

 

[skschlag]

He entered his father's information into the background check system (gym owner let him enter his own) and the owner did not verify. Fingerprinting would have caught this guy.

So the owner was negligent in many ways. He should not have been allowed to enter info himself. And again, I am surprised that the gym doesn't do fingerprints.

 

[rjb123]

When I started working in home care I was required to have fingerprinting done. It was paid for by my employer, but I understand that it is not astronomically expensive. it was not required to be done in the regular hospital setting, and my guess is that in a hospital there are so many "eyes" surrounding everyone. Lots of employees, you work in a "group" setting, where in home care it was just me and my patients (and families) in their homes. It is not a bad idea to have this done IMO, or at least in the short term for USAG to "strongly encourage" owners to fingerprint employees.

 

[CoachAlex]

I was fingerprinted to work at a preschool - paid for by the school. But in college I considered substitute teaching - obviously requires fingerprinting but you pay for it yourself - I believe its around $100 (although I supposed that could vary by state). And while that would be great, as someone mentioned before if the person has never been caught, fingerprinting isn’t really going to help.

 

[Aussie_coach]

Here in Australia, it is compulsory for all Gymnastics coaches to pass a WWCC (working with children check). In my state you need a blue card to work with children in any way, including in a volunteer capacity. These expire every three years, it is basically a criminal background check to ensure the person has not committmed any offence that could make them a risk to children.

 

[Jard.the.gymnast]

Here in Australia, it is compulsory for all Gymnastics coaches to pass a WWCC (working with children check).

Similar to what we have here, still it's not compulsory. Clubs are highly encouraged to do it. In my club, it's only compulsory if you are 18+, so I haven't to get one yet. I believe the government made them free for volunteers age 18 and up, and that's why they are required in our club for 18 and up only

 

[Aussie_coach]

Similar to what we have here, still it's not compulsory. Clubs are highly encouraged to do it. In my club, it's only compulsory if you are 18+, so I haven't to get one yet. I believe the government made them free for volunteers age 18 and up, and that's why they are required in our club for 18 and up only

For us they are even required for the under 18’s, if they are in paid employment.

 

[coachmolly]

I have worked in 4 gyms in 3 states and only 2 of them have required fingerprinting (both of those gyms were in the same state). Both required the checks at the cost of the employee and also required state criminal background checks. I know fingerprints are only required for coaches over 18, I think background checks are as well.
The other 2 gyms not only did not require fingerprinting, but also only required background checks for USAG members- which consisted of only the coaches who would be on the floor at meets.
The background check process is very simple and, in all of my experiences, the person requesting the check inputs all the data him/herself. Though I can honestly say the idea of someone putting in someone else's information ever really crossed my mind, I guess it is very possible. I think different loopholes like this, and the fact that background checks only some criminal convictions, make it incredibly important for gym owners to not only rely on this information but to also do their own research and check references and call previous employers.

 

[mignonone]

Money? Teachers pay for their own fingerprinting which is done through law enforcement. Safesport requires background checks already, which I assume clubs or individuals pay for. Fingerprinting is another background check.

This! I am a school nurse and have to pay for my fingerprint/background check with licensure renewal.