Reporting sexual abuse in sports-related situations is an incredibly difficult decision. For many athletes, survivors, and families, filing a report with the U.S. Center for SafeSport represents a moment of courage—one that often follows years of confusion, fear, self-blame, or silence.
After the report is submitted, however, many people are left asking the same question:
“I reported to SafeSport. What am I supposed to do now?”
If you are searching for what to do after a SafeSport report, you are not alone. Survivors often expect the reporting process to bring clarity or closure, only to realize that it leaves many personal and legal questions unanswered. While SafeSport plays a crucial role in overall athlete safety, it was never intended to provide justice, compensation, or individualized support for survivors.
If you or someone you love survived sports-related sexual abuse, you deserve to know what typically happens after you file a SafeSport report, why many survivors feel the process is incomplete, and what legal options beyond SafeSport may exist—including the possibility of a civil lawsuit for abuse.
Key Takeaways About SafeSport Reporting and Next Steps
- Filing a SafeSport report is an important step, but it is not the end of your options
- SafeSport focuses on athlete safety and administrative discipline, not survivor compensation
- Many survivors pursue legal options beyond SafeSport to seek accountability and recovery
- A civil lawsuit for abuse can address institutional failures and provide compensation to address long-term harm
- You do not need to wait for SafeSport to finish—or agree with its findings—to explore your legal rights
- Speaking with an experienced sports abuse lawyer is informational, confidential, and does not obligate you to file a lawsuit
What Happens After You File a SafeSport Report?
Once you submit a report to SafeSport, the process shifts out of your control and into an administrative system to assess policy violations in a general sense. This process is not designed to meet the individual needs of survivors seeking accountability and ways to address their personal situations.
Intake and Jurisdiction Review
The first step after contacting SafeSport is an intake review. SafeSport evaluates whether:
- The accused individual falls under its jurisdiction
- The alleged conduct qualifies as misconduct under SafeSport policies
- Immediate action is necessary to protect athletes
If SafeSport determines it lacks jurisdiction, the report may be closed or referred elsewhere. This can be confusing and discouraging for survivors who believed reporting would automatically trigger accountability.
Investigation Process
If the report proceeds, SafeSport may open a formal investigation. This often includes:
- Assigning an investigator
- Requesting written statements
- Conducting interviews with the reporting party and witnesses
- Reviewing prior complaints or records
Investigations can take months or longer and will proceed on SafeSport’s timetable. During this time, survivors may receive limited updates and little explanation of what is happening behind the scenes.
Administrative Outcomes
If SafeSport substantiates misconduct, it may impose sanctions such as suspending or permanently banning the accused abuser. These outcomes are intended to protect other athletes by restricting the accused’s ability to participate in sports.
However, these actions do not address the survivor’s personal losses, trauma, or need for resources. For many, this is where disappointment and frustration set in. The only way to pursue individual justice and compensation is to bring a civil claim against the abuser and any institution that allowed the abuse.
Why Survivors Often Feel Dissatisfied After SafeSport Reporting
SafeSport reporting is often described as a “first step,” but survivors frequently discover that it does not resolve the most pressing consequences of abuse, specifically:
No Compensation or Support for the Survivor
SafeSport cannot provide financial compensation for:
- Therapy or counseling
- Medical care
- Lost educational or athletic opportunities
- Long-term emotional harm
Survivors are often left to shoulder these burdens alone, even when abuse caused lasting damage.
Limited Survivor Voice
SafeSport investigations are not survivor-driven. Reporting parties have limited influence over timelines, outcomes, or sanctions. Many survivors feel sidelined in a process that directly concerns their experiences.
Focus on Policy, Not Harm
SafeSport evaluates whether rules were violated—not the full scope of trauma or institutional failure. This narrow focus can feel invalidating, especially when abuse was enabled by systemic problems.
These realities lead many survivors to search for next steps after reporting to SafeSport, including whether civil legal action is possible. Let’s explore other options survivors can take to seek justice, system-wide change to protect other athletes, and financial compensation to help them address the harm suffered as a result of the abuse.
What are My Legal Options Beyond SafeSport Reporting?
SafeSport reporting and civil lawsuits are not mutually exclusive. They serve different purposes and often complement one another. Survivors do not have to choose between these options. An experienced athlete abuse lawyer can explain your unique legal rights during a free, confidential consultation.
How Civil Lawsuits Differ From SafeSport Proceedings
A civil lawsuit allows survivors to pursue accountability through the court system. Unlike SafeSport reporting, civil cases can:
- Address long-term harm
- Determine who was responsible for the abuse
- Examine institutional negligence
- Provide financial compensation
- Offer survivors a stronger voice
A civil lawsuit for abuse focuses on responsibility—both individual and organizational—and whether the abuse could have been prevented.
Who Can Be Named in a Lawsuit
Civil abuse lawsuits may be brought against:
- The abusive coach or authority figure
- Youth sports leagues or clubs
- Schools or school districts
- Colleges or universities
- National governing bodies, including US Olympic organizations
Many survivors are surprised to learn that organizations—not just individuals—can be held legally accountable for abuse to athletes.
Do I Have to Wait for SafeSport to Complete Its Investigation Before Taking Legal Action?
In most cases, no. SafeSport investigations and civil lawsuits operate independently of each other. You can speak with a lawyer or begin exploring legal options at any point.
In fact, waiting may sometimes create risks, especially if statutes of limitation apply. Seeking early legal guidance can help protect your rights while SafeSport proceedings are ongoing.
What If SafeSport Found No Violation?
A SafeSport determination does not decide whether a civil claim is valid. SafeSport only issues administrative findings based on its internal policies, not the legal standards that govern civil litigation.
Civil courts apply different rules of evidence and may consider broader issues, including:
- Negligent supervision by an organization of a coach or staff member
- An organization’s failure to act on prior complaints to protect athletes
- Unsafe environments where abusers have access to athletes
A “no violation” finding does not mean the abuse did not occur—and it does not prevent legal action. If you received a disappointing finding from SafeSport, talk to a knowledgeable abuse lawyer to learn whether you can still pursue a civil claim against the perpetrator and/or an organization that allowed the abuse.
What If I’m Not Sure I Want to File a Lawsuit?
Many survivors are unsure whether legal action feels right. Speaking with a lawyer is not a commitment—it is a way to gather information and understand your legal rights should you choose to fight for them.
A free legal consultation can often help survivors:
- Understand the extent of their rights
- Learn about time limits and whether they can file a lawsuit to request compensation
- Clarify possible outcomes, such as payment of damages, systemic changes, and protecting future athletes
- Decide whether taking action aligns with their needs
Choosing not to file a civil lawsuit is always a valid choice. You should never feel pressured to take action if you are not ready.
Statutes of Limitation and Why Timing Matters
Every state sets deadlines for filing abuse-related lawsuits. However, many states have passed laws recognizing that certain trauma can lead to issues that delay reporting for years or even decades.
Some states have enacted laws that include:
- Extended filing deadlines, sometimes well into adulthood
- Delayed discovery rules that allow a survivor to file a claim within a certain timeframe after discovering the connection between their harm and the abuse that happened years ago
- Lookback windows that allow survivors to file older claims that were previously time-barred
Even if abuse happened years ago, legal options may still exist. Only a case-specific review with a dedicated abuse lawyer can answer the question of whether you can still take legal action.
How Civil Lawsuits Can Support Healing and Recovery
For some survivors, taking legal action is about fighting for the resources they deserve to aid their recovery. For others, it is about acknowledgment or accountability from those responsible for the harm.
A successful civil lawsuit can:
- Fund therapy and long-term care
- Validate survivor experiences
- Expose institutional failures and encourage better policies
- Restore a sense of personal control
There is no single “right” motivation. What matters is what feels supportive to you.
How Legal Action Fits Alongside SafeSport Reporting
Pursuing a lawsuit does not undermine SafeSport reporting. Many survivors do both.
SafeSport reporting focuses on preventing future harm. Civil lawsuits focus on survivor recovery and holding those responsible for the harm accountable. Together, they address different but equally important goals.
What to Do After a SafeSport Report: Practical Next Steps
If you are unsure what to do after a SafeSport report, consider taking these steps:
- Preserving all documentation and correspondence related to the abuse and how you were impacted
- Writing down details while memories are fresh, including information from witnesses or other athletes who saw or experienced similar events
- Seeking trauma-informed support
- Learning about your legal rights from a qualified attorney
You deserve information, clarity, and time to make informed decisions. A compassionate sports abuse lawyer can provide the information you need and the space to move forward when you are ready.
Survivors and Families Can Trust the Sports Abuse Legal Team at Dolman Law Group to Help
Reporting any form of abuse takes courage. When athletes are harmed by the very people they trust to help them succeed, sharing this information is even more complicated. After filing a SafeSport report, it’s natural to question what comes next.
If SafeSport reporting left you with unanswered questions and an unsatisfactory outcome, know that it does not define the limits of your options. Legal paths may exist that focus on your healing, your losses, and your right to hold others accountable.
At Dolman Law Group, we fight for survivors’ rights every day, and we are prepared to take on any organization or individual that caused you harm. We will listen to your story and answer your questions to help you decide your best next steps. Your consultation is free and confidential, and you won’t pay anything unless we recover compensation for you.
Whatever you choose, you deserve respect, support, and accurate information. Learn more by filling out our private contact form to set up a free consultation today.
