Sexual abuse in sports: what Michigan survivors should know
Last checked: 15 October 2026
In Michigan, athletic trainers are among the people the law requires to report suspected child abuse. In Olympic and Paralympic sport, the U.S. Center for SafeSport handles reports of abuse and misconduct under a 2017 federal law. Civil claims for abuse in sports follow the same Michigan deadlines as abuse in any other setting.
Reporting
- Athletic trainers, teachers, school administrators and others must report suspected child abuse to MDHHS (MCL 722.623).
- The U.S. Center for SafeSport says the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 made it the national safe sport organization, with authority to resolve abuse and misconduct reports across the Olympic and Paralympic movement.
- How to report child abuse in Michigan.
Deadlines
The Michigan deadlines for civil claims and criminal charges do not change with the setting. Claims against a public school or university have extra rules on immunity and notice.
Sources
- MCL 722.623: legislature.mi.gov
- U.S. Center for SafeSport, Our Story: uscenterforsafesport.org