Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1051049
38 / NOVEMBER.DECEMBER.2018 USICERINKS.COM RINK ISSUES SafeSport J ason Brown bursts into the makeshift video studio carrying an armful of shirts. "Which one do you like?" he asks. "Black is so dark…How about the orange one?" And with that, Brown had set the tone for the day, a day in which busy Team USA athletes make time to be a part of U.S. Figure Skating's "Your Voice" SafeSport campaign, which launched at Champs Camp on Aug. 18 with Team USA athletes wearing orange "Your Voice" shirts. "Your Voice" taps into the power we all possess. It doesn't matter if you can land an Axel yet, if you're a novice skater or a World medal contender; your voice can bring a dangerous problem to light, stop someone from hurting another skater's feelings and be the inspiration that keeps others on the ice. That's the message Team USA brought just hours before performing in Phoenix with Stars on Ice in May. With limited sleep, Karen Chen, Nathan Chen, Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue, Maia and Alex Shibutani, Bradie Tennell and Vincent Zhou joined Brown in lending their celebrity to advancing the message of SafeSport. "Victims of abuse, whether it is sexual or physical, oftentimes feel as though it's their fault," said 2014 Olympic Champion Meryl Davis. They feel guilty and this results in an inability to reach out. "If you are being abused in anyway, please remember it is not your fault. Reach out to a parent, a guardian, a coach, a trusted adult in any way; tell them your story, because it's something that they can help you resolve." Many of the athletes shared personal stories from the rink. Hubbell recalled what it was like watching her brother and former dance partner, Keiffer, get bullied at school in part because he was a figure skater. Hubbell spoke up, supported her older brother and was by his side on the ice for 11 years. "Bullying in any way, shape, or form is never something that should be taken lightly," Hubbell said. Donohue, Hubbell's Olympic partner and reigning World silver medalist, agreed, but sees a deeper root of the trouble. "Keep in mind also that the person doing the bullying is most likely struggling with a lot of their own issues, whether it is self- acceptance or any kind of persecution they are going under as well," he said. "A lot of understanding and a little bit of support can actually have a pretty awesome effect." Which brings us back to Jason Brown: "I empower you guys out there to be one of those friends," Brown said. "I am so lucky to have been surrounded by so many awesome people and please, please be one of those people to your friends." J The U.S. Figure SafeSport program strives to provide a safe environment that is free of harassment, misconduct and abusive practices. by BARB REICHERT Team USA wants you to speak up Make a Report: The U.S. Center for SafeSport • Sexual abuse or misconduct • safesport.org or 720-524-5640 U.S. Figure Skating • Emotional or physical misconduct, bullying, hazing or harassment • safesport@usfigureskating.org or 719-635-5200 Learn more: usfsa.org YOUR VOICE IS POWERFUL YOUR VOICE CAN BRING A DANGEROUS PROBLEM TO LIGHT, ...AND BE THE INSPIRATION THAT KEEPS OTHERS ON THE ICE.