In response to a highly publicized grievance filed in 1999, the United States Figure Skating Association approved new regulations concerning abuse and harassment at its 2000 Governing Council meeting. There's not much point in adopting a policy if no one knows about it. SkateWeb has obtained a copy of the document in question, and it is published here verbatim.
Additional commentary follows the text of the statement.
Definitions Harassment Harassment is defined in various sources such as case law, state legislation, sports organization and professional association codes of conduct and training manuals, corporation and workplace documents, and human rights commission materials. The following, however, presents a general overview. Any improper or inappropriate comment, action, or gesture directed toward a person or group that is related to race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other personal characteristics. Harassment usually occurs when one person engages in abusive behavior or asserts unwarranted power or authority over another, whether intended or not. It includes, for example, name-calling, taunts, threats, belittling, unwelcome advances and requests for sexual favors, as well as undue pressure to perform or succeed.