Sexual Misconduct Policy & Community Safety Standards

Last modified: June 8, 2026

Sexual Misconduct Policy & Community Safety Standards

At Magnitude Cheer, our space is a place for athletic growth, teamwork, and personal strength. To protect our athletes and families, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct, harassment, and inappropriate behavior. This policy applies to all members of our community and governs all interactions within our space, including those among Athletes, Coaches/Staff, and Parents/Guardians. Whether in our lobby, our viewing area, at a competition, or during training, we are entirely committed to maintaining a safe, respectful environment for everyone. 

1. How We Define Misconduct and What We Do Not Tolerate. We define sexual misconduct as any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that violates the safety or dignity of another person. This includes:

1.1 Professional Boundaries & Safe Spotting: Cheerleading and tumbling are highly physical sports that require hands-on "spotting" to ensure the safety of our athletes. Physical contact between coaches and athletes—such as supporting a gymnast through a flip, catching a falling flyer, or correcting body alignment during a stunt—is a necessary part of training and safety. All physical contact by our staff is strictly limited to these professional, safety-focused, and instructional purposes. We respect our athletes' comfort and bodily autonomy; however, because unspotted skills can lead to severe injury, refusing a necessary safety spot will mean the athlete cannot attempt that skill. Any physical contact that goes beyond professional, safety-based coaching and spotting is strictly prohibited. 

1.2 Personal Space & Unwanted Contact: We honor each person's physical boundaries in our studio. Any unwelcome or non-consensual touching—whether between clients, employees or employees and clients—is strictly prohibited. This includes any unnecessary brushing against another person’s body or infringement on their personal space that causes discomfort. 

1.3 Non-Physical Harassment: We are committed to maintaining an environment where everyone feels comfortable and focused. Harassment isn't always physical; it includes any behavior that creates a hostile or offensive atmosphere. This includes sexually suggestive or explicit comments, jokes, or epithets, as well as unwelcome leering, whistling, or sexual gestures. We do not tolerate unwanted remarks or gossip regarding an individual’s body, sexual activity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, nor the discussion of one’s own sexual exploits or inquiries into the sexual experiences of others within the studio environment. 

1.4 Personal & Digital Boundaries: We value the community connections made at Magnitude Cheer, but those connections must remain respectful across all platforms. Our policy prohibits unwelcome sexual advances, persistent and unwanted requests for dates, or any form of harassment that occurs outside the studio walls. This includes interactions via social media, text, email, or any online community or group platform where access to an individual was gained through a Magnitude Cheer connection or membership. Crossing these boundaries in a way that makes a community member feel unsafe or harassed—whether in a private message or a public group—violates this policy.  

1.5 Attire and Mindful Exposure: We want all athletes to feel comfortable, supported, and focused on their training. We require that all community members wear standard athletic training attire that provides reliable coverage across a full range of dynamic movement. While we understand that wardrobe malfunctions can happen, training in undergarments alone or the intentional exposure of private body parts violates our community standards. Because cheerleading and tumbling involve high-flying stunts, inversions, and spotting, apparel must be form-fitting enough to ensure both personal privacy and physical safety (avoiding excessively loose clothing that can catch on hands or equipment). If wearing loose-fitting shorts, athletes must wear compression shorts underneath. 

2. Reporting: Your Voice Matters. If you feel unsafe or have been affected by misconduct, we take every report seriously and handle each case with care.

2.1 How to Report: Please contact Janae Cardona directly via the contact links provided at the end of this policy. 

2.2 Reporting for Minors: If the individual affected is a minor, a parent or legal guardian may report on their behalf. Magnitude Cheer is committed to the heightened protection of our minor students and youth clients.

2.3 Information Needed: To help us conduct a thorough review, please provide:

* Your full name and contact information.

* The name(s) of the person(s) involved.

* A clear description of the incident, including the date, time, and location.

* The names and contact information of any witnesses who may have relevant information.

* Any supporting information or evidence, such as photos, videos, or screenshots of digital communications (e.g., text messages or social media interactions) related to the report. 

2.4 Integrity of the Process: To ensure a fair process, we cannot accept anonymous reports. While we respect your privacy, the person accused will be informed of the allegations so they have a fair opportunity to respond.

3. Internal vs. Legal Action. Magnitude Cheer handles all grievances internally as a matter of business policy and community safety. Our internal investigation is designed solely to determine whether a person may remain part of our community.

3.1 Magnitude Cheer does not have the authority or resources of a law enforcement agency. While we take immediate business action (such as banning offenders), it is the complainant's sole responsibility to report incidents to the police if they wish to pursue criminal charges or legal action. We strongly encourage individuals to use the legal and social support systems available in California.

4. The Path to Resolution. We believe in a fair and transparent process that honors the individual reporting while ensuring a thorough review of the facts. Once a report is formally initiated, we follow a consistent process to determine the necessary steps to ensure our community's safety. Depending on the severity of the allegations, Magnitude Cheer reserves the right to temporarily suspend a membership or access to the facility immediately upon receiving a report, pending the final outcome of our internal review. 

4.1 Review & Interview: We will speak with the person reporting, the person accused, and any relevant witnesses separately to get a clear picture of what happened.

4.2 Our Findings: We make our decisions based on the balance of information provided. If the information gathered leads us to believe it is more likely than not that a violation occurred, we will take action to protect the community.

4.3 No Retaliation: Any attempt to "get back at" someone for reporting is a stand-alone violation and will result in immediate removal from the studio.

5. Consequences (The Business Perspective). Magnitude Cheer is a private business. We reserve the right to exclude anyone who compromises the safety of our students or staff. 

5.1 For Students/Participants: Immediate termination of membership and a permanent ban from the studio. No refunds will be issued for memberships or workshops. 

5.2 For Parents/Guardians: Immediate and permanent ban for both you and your child (the student) from our studio and community. 

5.3 For Instructors/Staff: Immediate termination of employment or contract for cause.

6. Appeals. Requests for appeal must be made within 21 days of the decision and are only granted if there was a major procedural failure or if significant new evidence is discovered. We do not grant appeals based on a disagreement with the final decision.

Contact Janae Cardona: [email protected]