Statement of Intent
We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our young people and adults so they can train and play in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable in Great Harwood Cricket Club.
If bullying does occur, all young people should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively.
We are a TELLING club. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the staff and officials.
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 kit, 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 focusing on the issue of sexuality
- Verbal: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing
- Cyber: All areas of internet, such as email and internet chat room misuse. Mobile threats by text messaging and calls. Misuse of associated technology, i.e. camera and video facilities.
Some signs that bullying may be happening are, when a young person:
- becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
- comes home with clothes torn or belongings damaged
- has possessions which are damaged or “go missing”
- asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay bully)
- has unexplained cuts or bruises
- is frightened to say what’s wrong
- gives improbable excuses for any of the above
In more extreme cases, the young person
- starts stammering
- cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
- becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
- is bullying other children or siblings stops eating
- attempts or threatens suicide or runs away
These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.
Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying?
Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Young people who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.
We all have a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.
Objectives of this Policy
- All officials, coaching and non-coaching staff, Young People and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is.
- All officials, coaching and non-coaching staff should know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.
- All young people and parents should know what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.
- As Great Harwood Cricket Club , we take bullying seriously. Children and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
- Bullying will not be tolerated.
Signs and Symptoms:
A Young Person may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adultsshould be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a young person:
- says they are being bullied
- changes their usual routine
- is unwilling to go to matches or practice sessions.
Procedures
- Report bullying incidents to your coach or Shirley Maher (Club Safeguarding Officer) Tel: 07821 475395.
- In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be reported to the County Safeguarding Officer and maybe the ECB Safeguarding Team
- Parents should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem
- If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted
- The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly. In cases of adults reported to be bullying cricketers under 18, the ECB must always be informed and will advise on
action to be taken.
Any Great Harwood Cricket Club player found bullying another, will be subject
to disciplinary procedures, which may result in losing your place in a team
or even your membership of the Club.