KANSAS CITY, Mo. (April 3, 2019) –United Soccer Coaches and the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA), as part of their ongoing partnership, have developed a new online course to educate soccer coaches on how they can prevent and respond to sexual abuse and assault.
“Sexual Violence: The Facts” is a new online course in which coaches can learn how to notice signs of sexual abuse, learn how to interrupt situations that cross boundaries, and practice strategies for supporting people that have experienced sexual abuse and assault. The course also shares information about how and when to make reports regarding situations that involve child sexual abuse. After completing the eLearning module, a “Coaches Toolkit” is available with examples of prevention strategies and resource information.
The course is available, for free, on the United Soccer Coaches website at UnitedSoccerCoaches.org.
“We are proud to partner with MOCSA on this new course to give coaches the knowledge and tools they need to help keep athletes and coaches safe,” said Jeff Farnsworth, United Soccer Coaches President. “This is a very important topic and safety should always be our top priority.”
“With April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, it is the perfect time to learn how to create a positive team culture through sexual abuse and assault prevention,” said Melanie Austin, Director of Education at MOCSA. “Through this course, coaches can learn valuable information and strategies on how to prevent and respond to sexual abuse and assault.”
United Soccer Coaches and MOCSA partnered together to develop new educational resources and training programs on the issues of sexual abuse and assault for soccer coaches nationwide. The partnership is a direct result of a grant awarded to MOCSA by RALIANCE, a collaborative initiative to end sexual violence in one generation, made possible through a commitment from the National Football League (NFL).
About MOCSA
MOCSA has served as the sole rape crisis center for the greater Kansas City metropolitan area since 1975. MOCSA’s mission is to improve the lives of those impacted by sexual assault and abuse and to prevent sexual violence in our community. We provide services to more than 62,000 individuals annually in three program areas: Advocacy, Counseling, and Prevention and Education services. Services are provided to individuals ranging in age from early childhood through elder adulthood and are free of charge. Visit mocsa.org to learn more.