MKLR is committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of its members so they can participate in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our Club. If bullying does occur, all members and/or parents 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 Club Welfare Officer or any Committee Member.
[expand title=”What is bullying?” Tag = H4]
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 (emotionally and physically) sending hurtful text messages, tormenting, (e.g. hiding spikes/clothing, 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
[/expand]
[expand title =”Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying?” Tag =H4]
Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Athletes who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving. This Club has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.
[/expand]
[expand title =”Objectives of this Policy” Tag =H4]
- All committee members, coaches, runners, parents and club members should have an understanding of what bullying is.
- All committee members and coaching staff should know what the Club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.
- All runners 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. Runners, parents and appropriate adults should be assured that they would be supported when bullying is reported.
- Bullying will not be tolerated.
[/expand]
[expand title =”Signs and Symptons” Tag =H4]
A child, young person or vulnerable adult 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, young person or vulnerable adult:
- says he/she is being bullied
- is unwilling to go to club sessions
- becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
- feels ill before training sessions
- comes home with clothes torn or athletics equipment damaged
- has possessions 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
- starts stammering
- cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
- becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
- is bullying other children, siblings or adults
- stops eating
- attempts or threatens suicide or runs away
These signs and behaviours may indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated
[/expand]
[expand title =”Procedures” Tag =H4]
- Report bullying incidents to the club Welfare Officer or a member of the Committee.
- In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be referred to UKA for advice.
- In the case of young people or vulnerable adults, parents or appropriate adults 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.
- An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour.
- If mediation fails and the bullying is seen to continue the club will initiate disciplinary action under the club constitution.
[/expand]
[expand title =”Recommended action if the club decides it is appropriate for them to deal with the situation, the following procedures outlined below should be followed:” Tag = H4]
- Reconciliation by getting the parties together. It may be a genuine apology solves the problem.
- If this fails/is not appropriate a small panel (made up from the Club Chairman, Welfare Officer, Secretary, Committee Members) should meet with the parent or appropriate adult and child alleging bullying to get details of the allegation. Minutes should be taken for clarity, which should be agreed by all as a true account.
- The same three persons should meet with the alleged bully and parent(s) or appropriate adult and put the incident raised to them to answer and give their view of the allegation. Minutes should again be taken and agreed.
- If bullying has in their view taken place, the runners should be warned and put on notice of further action i.e. temporary or permanent suspension if the bullying continues. Consideration should be given as to whether a reconciliation meeting between parties is appropriate at this time.
- In some cases the parent of the bully or bullied runners can be asked to attend training sessions, if they are able to do so, and if appropriate. The Club Committee should monitor the situation for a given period to ensure the bullying is not being repeated.
- All coaches involved with both runners should be made aware of the concerns and outcome of the process i.e. the warning.
[/expand]
[expand title=”In the case of adults reported to be bullying runners under 18?” Tag = H4]
- UKA should always be informed and will advise on action to be taken
- It is anticipated that in most cases where the allegation is made regarding a coach, child protection awareness training may be recommended.
- More serious cases may be referred to the police, social services or judicial complaints procedure.
[/expand]