Bowls Jersey (Association) is committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all bowlers so they can take part in a relaxed and secure atmosphere regardless of their age or background.
Quite simply, bullying is a form of abuse and is unacceptable in the sport of bowls. If
bullying does occur, the membership can be assured 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
Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as they have concerns.
This Policy should be read in conjunction with the following policies:-
Safeguarding Policy
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 leaving them feeling threatened and vulnerable.
Bullying can be: –
Emotional/Psychological – excluding someone from a group, humiliation,
encouraging hate, highlighting differences and weaknesses.
Physical – pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence; damaging
someone’s property.
Racist – insulting language/gestures, name-calling based on a person’s actual or
perceived ethnic origin or faith; racially motivated violence, use of racial
motivated imagery.
Sexual – sexually insulting language/gestures; name-calling; unwanted physical
contact, encouragement of posting inappropriate photographs and other such
material.
Homophobic – insulting language/gestures, name-calling based on a person’s
actual or perceived sexuality; graffiti and homophobic violence
Sexist – belittling someone because of their gender
Verbal – name-calling, sarcasm, insulting a person’s family, threats of physical
violence, spreading rumours, constantly putting a person down.
Cyber –
‘Trolling’ – sending menacing or upsetting messages on social media, chat
rooms or online games
Threats by text messaging and phone calls
Misuse of associated technology, i.e. phone camera and video facilities
There are two different forms of bulling ‘Direct’ and ‘Indirect’
Direct bullying is classed as carrying out an act described above. A person can be accused of direct bulling if they proactively engage in acts that involve actual harm of another person emotionally, socially and/or physically.
Indirect bullying is by means of incitement and other forms of encouraging and supporting others to harm or bully another person. Examples include passing on messages, liking hurtful comments on Facebook or other media, watching physical or verbal acts without taking action and any other means of facilitating acts of aggression and harm.
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. The Association has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.
Action in relation to a bullying incident
Bullying incidents solely involving members of the same club
Report bullying incidents to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), or in their
absence the Association’s Safeguarding Officer who will be responsible for recording
the incident as per the Safeguarding Policy/Anti-Bullying Policy.
The DSL will monitor minor incidents for any patterns and repeated incidents that
indicated bullying is taking place.
Where an incident comes to light that indicates previous behaviour consistent with
bullying, the incident must be investigated in accordance with the Club’s
Safeguarding Policy and the bullying stopped quickly.
Incidents involving serious bullying, will be referred to the DSL who will take the
appropriate action in accordance with the Club’s Safeguarding Policy/Anti-Bullying
Policy and if necessary and appropriate, police or other agencies will be consulted.
Consideration will also be given to formal discipline by the Club.
In serious cases, parents/carers/individual members, should be informed and asked to
come in to a meeting to discuss the problem.
Attempts will be made to help the bully/bullies change their behaviour.
Bullying incidents involving club members and members from another
club or solely other club members playing at a different club
Report bullying incidents to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), or in their
absence the Association’s Safeguarding Officer who will be responsible for recording
the incident as per the Safeguarding Policy.
DSL will refer the incident to Association’s Safeguarding Officer, for subsequent
action.
Very simply – Bullying will not be tolerated
Bowls Jersey 