SAFE TY AND SECURITY POLICY

USTPF Promotes the Safety and Security and Welfare of Horses and Riders

USTPF's takes things serious in regard to Safe and Security. Therefore, USTPF has taken significant steps and efforts to develop Safe and Security Policy and rules to provide safe and secure tent pegging environment for our members. USTPF's Safe and Security Policy is to offer familiarity, resources, and etiquette for the tent peggers and members of the equestrian community. The policy is employed as a guide for the tent peggers and members to have understanding, instrument, and a support structure to ensure a safe and positive environment for tent pegging equestrians to develop their skills. The USTPF expects the tent peggers, coaches and designated USTPF staff to ensure and observe the environment safety and security and report such activities, which are harmful for tent peggers, members or children and against the Safe and Security Policy of the federation. The USTPF requests all members (Tent Peggers, Pleasure Riders, Parents, and Children) participate in learning the Safety and Security Policy of tent pegging an ancient equestrian sport become familiar with the information provided in the manual and be attentive of its guidelines during instructional gatherings and contests.

Significance of Recognizing, Reducing and Responding to the Harmful Activities

This manual is anticipated for all members (Tent Peggers, Pleasure Riders, Parents, and Children) who participate in tent pegging. It presents the significance and perceptive for identifying, reducing, and responding to regrettable hazards of transgression and mistreatment within the sport.

View & Download Safe Sport Policy Handbook

View & Download Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everyone is accountable to report incident or doubt about any incident occurring or may occur. We all know that it is not an easy thing to recognize and decide to report an incident or doubtful situation. The Safety and Security Policy Manual sketches reporting processes that are intended to eliminate all the possible hurdles. USTPF assures the reporting individuals that their reports will be handled with the extreme confidentiality under the federal and state laws.

Report by Email or Call

Shelly Lynne Brown, USTPF Administrative Counsel

safestentpegging@ustpf.org

918-625-7705

MYTH: ALL SEX OFFENDERS ARE THE SAME AND THEY CAN BE EASILY DETECTED

Reality: All sex offenders work differently and in order to successfully respond to abusers, their differences can be recognized. If one is bad all are bad is not a right approach and does not contribute to the safety of children and women. Since the most dangerous offenders will often be supervised the same as low risk offenders. Some sex offenders prefer child victims and some adult victims. Some are opportunistic and may not have a specific preference.

Therefore, USTPF's policy is to provide guidance for parents and guardians to be mindful of the significance of keeping eyes and ears open to ensure and control the situation prior to happening instead of ignoring.

MYTH: SEXUAL ABUSE IS MORE PREVALENT IN CERTAIN SPORTS

Reality: Sexual predators aim for young children, despite of the type of sport. Predators gain the trust of children including their parents. Many parents trust their child's coach, since he/she is considered most trustworthy and influential because of their position as a coach.

MYTH: CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT IS RARE OCCURRENCE

Reality: Until lately, child sexual assault wasn't recognized as a significant problem. In fact, statistics are difficult to obtain because the vast majority of sexual assault cases go unreported. It's estimated, however, that 100,000 to 500,000 children are assaulted annually in the United States.

MYTH: ONLY YOUNG, BEAUTIFUL WOMEN GET SAXUALLY ASSAULTED

Reality: Rapists choose their victims for their vulnerability and accessibility without any regard to age or physical appearance. Victims are young and old, single and married, rich and poor, male and female. Victims of raped sexual assaults have ranges from infants to 93 years old.

MYTH: Women are only raped when they are alone at night, primarily in dark alleys

Reality: 60% of sexual assaults occur in victim's homes or at a friend, relative or neighbor. 68% of rapes occur between the hours of 6 P.M. and 6 A.M.

MYTH: BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE ENOUGH TO KEEP PREDATORS OUT OF SPORT

Fact: Background checks will not detect a large majority of predators. It's been determined that over 90% of adults who sexually assault children will never be reported to authorities. Since background checks only identify persons who have been arrested and convicted of a criminal offense, record checks will never be enough to keep predators out of sport.

References:

Shasta Women's Refuge (2011), Sexual Assault Task Force of Oregon (2013), Unity Point Health (2013), and USEF (2014)