Statement of Intent

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all participants so they can participate in Rugby League in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable. If bullying does occur, all players, parents/guardians, volunteers and coaches should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the Club Welfare Officer or any committee member.

What is bullying?

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person Ã¢â‚¬â€œ adults and children can be bullies. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can be: -
Ã¯â€šÂ¾Emotionalbeing unfriendly, excluding individuals deliberately, tormenting, e.g. hiding kit, threatening gestures)

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Physicalpushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Racistracial taunts, graffiti, gestures

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Sexualunwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Homophobicbecause of, or focusing on the issue of sexuality

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Verbalname-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing

Ã¯â€šÂ¾CyberAll areas of internet, such as email, internet chat rooms, message boards, instant messenger services. Also includes misuse of cameras, video cameras or mobile phones, e.g. text messages.
Why is it important to report bullying?

Ã¯â‚¬ÂBullying 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.

Ã¯â‚¬ÂSkirlaugh Bulls have a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.

Ã¯â‚¬ÂAll individuals involved in Rugby League have a responsibility to report any issues of bullying to the Club Welfare Officer or another appropriate person.

Objectives of this policy

Ã¯â‚¬ÂAll players, coaches, officials, volunteers and parents/guardians should:

oHave an understanding of what bullying is.

oKnow what the Skirlaugh Bulls policy is, how to report any issues and how to deal with any issues that have been reported.

oHave an appreciation of the signs and indicators of bullying.

Ã¯â‚¬ÂTo ensure Skirlaugh Bulls take bullying seriously and have policies and procedures in place.

Ã¯â‚¬ÂTo assure players and parents/guardians that they will be supported if bullying is reported.

Ã¯â‚¬ÂTo make it clear that bullying will not be tolerated in Rugby League.

What are the indicators of Bullying?

A child may indicate that he or she is being bullied by certain signs or by displaying certain behaviours. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and should investigate if a child:

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Says he/she is being bullied.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Is unwilling to go to training sessions or matches, especially if they used to enjoy this

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Becomes withdrawn, anxious or lacking in confidence.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Feels ill before training sessions or matches.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Comes home with clothes torn or equipment damaged.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Has possessions go Ã¢â‚¬ËœmissingÃ¢â‚¬â„¢.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Asks for money or starts to steal money (to pay the bully).

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Has unexplained cuts or bruises

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Is frightened to say whatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s wrong

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Gives improbable excuses for any of the above

Or in more extreme cases, if a child:

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Starts stammering

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Becomes aggressive, disruptive or otherwise unreasonable

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Stops eating

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Attempts or threatens suicide or running away

The above signs may indicate other problems, however, bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.

What to do if you suspect bullying is taking place?

1.Report bullying incidents to the Club Welfare Officer or another member of the Skirlaugh Bulls committee. If no-one from the Club is available contact the RFLÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Safeguarding Team.

2.In cases of serious bullying report it to the RFL Safeguarding Team immediately.

3.Parents/guardians should be informed and be asked for a meeting to discuss the issues.

4.If necessary and appropriate, the Police should be consulted.

5.Any allegations of bullying should be investigated thoroughly and speedily and the acts of bullying stopped quickly.

6.An attempt should be made to help the bully (or bullies) change their behaviour.

7.If mediation fails and the bullying continues, the club should initiate disciplinary action.

Recommended Club Action

If the Club decides it is appropriate for them to deal with the situation they should follow the procedure outlined below.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Consider reconciliation Ã¢â‚¬â€œ it may be that a genuine apology can solve the problem.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾If this fails or is not appropriate, a small panel (including the Club Welfare Officer) should meet with the parents/guardians of the child alleging bullying to get details of the allegation. Minutes should be taken which should be agreed by all parties.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾The same panel should meet with the alleged bully and his/her parents/guardians so they can give their views on the allegations. Once again minutes should be taken and agreed.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾If the panel believe that bullying has taken place, the individual should be warned and put on notice that any further incidents may lead to a temporary or permanent suspension from the club. Consideration should be given as to whether a reconciliation meeting between the parties is appropriate.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾It may be appropriate for the parents/guardians of the bully or the bullies player to be asked to attend training sessions.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾The Club Welfare Officer and other members of the committee should monitor the situation to ensure bullying does not reoccur.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾All coaches involved with the individuals concerned should be made aware of the situation and what to do if bullying is observed.
In the case of serious bullying or an adult bullying a child the RFL Safeguarding Team should be informed. Cases of this nature will be dealt with under the Safeguarding Case Management procedure or may be referred to Police and/or Social Services if appropriate.

Can bullying be prevented?

Ã¯â€šÂ¾The Club will have a written constitution/code of conduct, which includes acceptable standards of behaviour for all players, parents/guardians, volunteers and coaches.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾All players, parents/guardians, volunteers and coaches will receive a copy of the constitution/code of conduct upon joining the club or at the start of each season if appropriate.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾The Club Welfare Officer will raise awareness of bullying and why having a robust anti-bullying policy matters, and if issues of bullying arise in the club, consideration will be given to meeting with all players, parents/guardians, volunteers and coaches to discuss the issues openly and constructively Ã¢â‚¬â€œ although with no specific reference to individual incidents.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾The Club will display a copy of the RFLÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Anti-Bullying Poster and Policy in an appropriate place Ã¢â‚¬â€œ more copies are available on request or can be downloaded from the RFL website.

Cyberbullying - is the use of communications technology to deliberately upset someone. This is an extension of face-to-face bullying and should be treated just as seriously. Cyberbullying can take place via mobile phones, emails, internet chat rooms, message boards or instant messaging services.

How can Cyberbullying be prevented?

Ã¯â€šÂ¾ChildrenÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s use of technology should be monitored to prevent inappropriate usage.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Children should be made aware of the repercussions their actions may have Ã¢â‚¬â€œ what may be seen as joke at one end may not be received as one because the sender cannot see the impact of their message.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Ã¢â‚¬ËœBlockingÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ the bully or removing from Ã¢â‚¬ËœbuddyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ lists so that the bully cannot send messages to the individual concerned.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Advising the individual being bullies not to reply or retaliate.

Ã¯â€šÂ¾Advising children to set their profiles on social networks to Ã¢â‚¬ËœPrivateÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ so only their approved friends have access.

Racist bullying - is motivated by a prejudice against a particular race, nationality or religion. Racist bullying can be physical, emotional, verbal, physical or sexual. Do not assume that Caucasian children cannot be the victims of racist bullying.

How can racist bullying be prevented? - It should be made clear that racist bullying, like all forms of bullying, will not be tolerated.

The Club should make it clear that racist language will not be tolerated at any time in order to create an atmosphere where all players, parents/guardians, volunteers and coaches know that it is inappropriate and feel comfortable to report incidents. All players should be educated regarding different nationalities, races, cultures and religions. Most prejudices are the result of ignorance.

Homophobic bullying - occurs when bullying is motivated by a prejudice against lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) people, or where the individual being bullied has LGB parents/guardians or is referred to as LGB, even if he/she is not. Homophobic bullying can be physical, emotional, verbal, physical or sexual.

How can homophobic bullying be prevented? - The Club should make it clear that neither homophobic bullying or homophobic language will be tolerated at any time in order to create an atmosphere where all players, parents/guardians, volunteers and coaches know that it is inappropriate and feel comfortable to report incidents.