What is Bullying?

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. 

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Bullying can be:

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• EMOTIONAL being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally and physically) sending hurtful text messages, tormenting, (e.g. hiding football boots/shin guards, threatening gestures)

• PHYSICAL pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence

• SEXUAL unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments

• DISCRIMINATION racial taunts, graffiti, gestures, homophobic comments, jokes about disabled people, sexist comments,

• VERBAL name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing

This club commits to ensure our website and/or social networking pages are being used appropriately and any online bullying will be dealt with swiftly and appropriately in line with procedures detailed in this policy.

 

This club has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.

 

Objectives of this Policy:

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• All club members, coaches, officials and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is.

• All club members, officials and coaching staff should know what is the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.

• All players 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, Players and parents should be assured that they would be supported when bullying is reported.

• Bullying will not be tolerated.

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Procedures : 

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• Report bullying incidents to the Club Welfare Officer or a member of the clubs committee or contact the County FA Welfare Officer

• In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be referred to the county FA Welfare Officer for advice and possibly to the FA Case Management Team

• Parents should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem

• If necessary and appropriate, the police will be consulted

• The bullying behaviour of 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