Brook Cricket Club (the Club) is committed to
ensuring that all children (being those persons under the age of 18)
participating in cricket have a safe and positive experience. The Club is
committed to ensuring that children playing cricket at the Club are not
subject to bullying.
Statement of Intent
We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe
environment for all of our children so they can train and play in a relaxed
and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our Club. If
bullying does occur, all children should be able to tell an adult Club
member 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 Welfare Officer or another member of the
Committee.
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 or tormenting (e.g. hiding kit, threatening gestures);
-
physical: pushing, kicking,
hitting, punching or any use of violence;
-
racist: involving racial taunts,
graffiti or gestures;
-
sexual: involving unwanted
physical contact or sexually abusive comments;
-
homophobic: because of, or
focusing on the issue of sexuality;
-
verbal: involving name-calling,
sarcasm, spreading rumours or teasing; or
-
cyber: involving any area of
internet (such as email and internet chat room misuse); mobile threats by
text messaging and calls; or misuse of associated technology (e.g. camera
and video facilities).
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. Children who are
bullying need to learn different ways of behaving. The Club has a
responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.
Objectives of this Policy
-
All officials, coaching and
non-coaching volunteers, children and parents should have an understanding
of what bullying is.
-
All officials, coaching and
non-coaching volunteers should know what the Club policy is on bullying,
and follow it when bullying is reported.
-
All children and parents should
know what the Club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if
bullying arises.
-
As a 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 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:
-
says they are being bullied;
-
changes their usual routine;
-
is unwilling to go to the Club;
-
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; or
-
gives improbable excuses for any
of the above.
In more extreme cases, the child may:
-
starts stammering;
-
cries themselves to sleep at
night or has nightmares;
-
becomes aggressive, disruptive
or unreasonable;
-
bully other children or
siblings;
-
stops eating; or
-
attempt or threaten suicide or
run away.
These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems,
but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.
Procedures
1. Report bullying incidents to the Club Welfare Officer.
2. In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be
reported to the ECB Child Protection Team for advice via the County
Welfare Officer.
3. Parents will 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.
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.