Anti Bullying Policy

Anti-Bullying Policy

Statement of Intent
Gomersal Cricket Club is committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our junior cricketers, so they can play and enjoy cricket in a relaxed and secure surroundings.
Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our cricket club. If bullying does occur, those affected should be able to tell someone, and know that all incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a “TELLING” club. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening will be expected to tell their child welfare officer / team manager / coach / responsible adult or committee member.

What Is Bullying?
Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can be:

• Emotional - being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding equipment, threatening gestures)
• Physical - pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
• Racist - racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
• Sexual - unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
• Homophobic - because of, or focussing on the issue of sexuality
• Verbal -name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing
• Cyber -All areas of internet ,such as email & internet chat room misuse, Mobile threats by text messaging & calls
• Misuse of associated technology , i.e. camera &video facilities

Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying?
Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everyone at Gomersal Cricket Club has the right to be treated with equality and respect. People who bully need to learn different ways of behaving.

We have a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to any incidences of bullying.

Objectives of this Policy

• Child Welfare officers, team managers, coaches, committee members, members and parents should know what the club policy is on bullying and follow it when bullying is reported.
• All junior members and parents should know what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.
• Gomersal Cricket Club take bullying seriously. Junior members and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
• Bullying will not be tolerated.

Signs and Symptoms
A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child:

• Is frightened of walking to or from the cricket club
• Doesn't want to go to the cricket club
• Begs to be driven to the cricket club
• Changes their usual routine
• Becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
• Starts stammering
• Attempts or threatens suicide or runs away
• Cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
• Feels ill
• Begins to do poorly in cricket club work
• Comes home with clothes torn
• Has possessions which are damaged or " go missing"
• Asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay bully)
• Has unexplained cuts or bruises
• Becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
• Is bullying other children or siblings
• Stops eating
• Is frightened to say what's wrong
• Gives improbable excuses for any of the above
• Is afraid to use the internet or mobile phone
• Is nervous & jumpy when a cyber message is received

These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated

Procedures

1. Report all bullying incidents to the child welfare officer / team manager / coach / responsible adult or committee member
2. In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be recorded by the committee
3. In serious cases parents should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem
4. If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted
5. The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly
6. An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour

Outcomes

1. The bully (bullies) may be asked to genuinely apologise. Other consequences may take place.
2. In serious cases, suspension or even exclusion will be considered.
3. If and where possible, the members will be reconciled.
4. After the incident / incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not take place.

Issued 19/11/2013 Version 1