Chichester City Youth FC Anti-bullying Information.
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 (emotionally and physically), sending hurtful text messages and tormenting, (e.g. hiding football boots/shin guards, 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
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.
Individuals who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.
This club has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.
Objectives of this Policy
• 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 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
Signs and Indicators
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 he or 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• becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence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 training equipment damaged
• has possessions go "missing"
• asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay the 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 or siblings
• 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.