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Anti-Bullying Policy and Procedure

Background to the Policy

1        Guisborough RUFC are committed to the prevention, detection and elimination of bullying.  They take the problem very seriously and undertake to sensitively investigate all cases of alleged/reported or observed bullying.

2        Bullying can take many forms and is usually repeated over a period of time.   Guisborough RUFC are not prepared to tolerate bullying behaviour in any form.

The three main types of bullying are:

• physical (e.g. hitting, kicking),
• verbal (e.g. racist or homophobic remarks, threats, name calling) and
• emotional (e.g. isolating an individual from activities).

Many other forms of bullying exist however, such as:

• Other forms of violence;
• Sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing or theft;
• Tormenting, ridiculing, humiliation;
• Racial taunts, graffiti, gestures;
• Unwanted physical contact or abusive or offensive comment of a sexual nature.

3        ALL forms of bullying display the following common features:

• Deliberate hostility and aggression towards a victim;

• A victim who is weaker than the bully or bullies;

• An outcome which is always painful and distressing for the victim.

4        All reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that all members, coaches, players, staffing volunteers and parents have been made aware of the policy, and endorse its contents;

Policy and Procedure

1        ALL reported/alleged cases of bullying will be investigated and appropriate action taken.
 

2        In ALL reported/alleged cases of bullying, the following principles will be adopted:

·        A detailed report will be prepared at the time of disclosure, containing the following details:
 

-        The young person’s name, address, date of birth, race, ethnic origin, 
and any disability they may have;

-        Nature of the allegation;

-        A description of any injuries/bruising;

-        Any relevant observations about the behaviour/emotional state of the young
person;

-        Times, locations, dates;

-        An account in the words of the person reporting then incident of what is alleged to have happened, and any actions already taken;

The report will indicate who prepared the report and will be  signed and dated;

• A panel comprising the Welfare Officer, the Chair (or Vice Chair) of the Mini/Junior Section and one other member of the Mini/Junior Committee (who has no involvement with the squad(s) concerned) will be established by the Welfare Officer to investigate the situation reported;
• As it is recognized that it can be difficult to cope with or prove bullying behaviour, the victim(s), alleged parpetrator(s) and possible witnesses will each be interviewed very carefully and sensitively by two or more mebers of the panel;
• Anyone being interviewed will be advised of their right to be accompanied by a member of their familky or a friend while being interviewed – although it shoulf br stressed that the person accompanying the interviewee is there to provides upport to the interviewee and not to answer the questions on their behalf;
• Questions will be kept to a minimum, and care will be taken to ensure that the interviewers clearly understand what is being said - in order that the information can be passed on to the appropriate agencies;
• Care will betaken to reassure the victim(s) that he/she is not to blame;
• Where necessary, the Club Welfare Officer will consult the CB Welfare Officer on behalf of the panel - ensuring that information is accurately communicated at all times;
• retain an "open mind" to ensure that all cases are handled in a fair and equitable manner.

3        At the end of their investigation, the panel will decide upon the appropriate action to be taken, and by who, such as:

• Obtain an apology from the bully(ies) to the victim;
• Inform parents of the bully(ies);
• Insisting on the return of any items ‘borrowed’ or stolen;
• Insist bullies compensate the victim if/where appropriate;
• Identify any lessons that may be learned from the case(s) concerned and use these to inform future advice and behaviour

4        Care will be taken to ensure that appropriate support is provided to any coach, victim or other involved party associated with an alleged or actual incident of bullying.

5        Every effort will be taken to ensure that the information passed to external agencies is as helpful as possible.

If the club are unsure how to proceed at any stage they will, if appropriate, seek assistance from the RFU Child Protection Line (0208 831 6655).