We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our children so they can train and play in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our club.
If bullying does occur, all children should be able to tell and know incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING club. This means anyone who knows bullying is happening is expected to tell someone who can do something about it.

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 take many forms:

Emotional: being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (for example: hiding kit, or making threatening gestures)

Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence

Racist: racial taunts, graffiti and/or gestures

Sexual: unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments

Homophobic: because of, or focusing on, the issue of sexuality

Verbal: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours and teasing

Cyber: bullying behaviour online or via electronic communication (email and text, social media etc.) Misuse of associated technology, such as camera and video facilities

Why is it important to respond to bullying?

Bullying hurts. No one should be a victim of bullying. Everyone has the right to be treated with respect. Children who are bullying also need to learn different ways of behaving.
Cricket Clubs have a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.

Objectives of this policy

All adults and children at the club should have an understanding of what bullying is

All officials, coaching and non-coaching staff should know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported

All children 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. Children and parents should be assured they will be supported when bullying is reported

Bullying will not be tolerated

Signs and symptoms

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

Says they are being bullied

Changes their usual routine

Is unwilling to go to the club

Becomes withdrawn anxious or lacking in confidence

Comes home with clothes torn or belongings damaged

Has possessions which are damaged or 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, the child:

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 could indicate other problems, but bullying is a possibility and should be investigated.

Procedures

Report bullying incidents to the Club Welfare Officer

In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be reported to the ECB Safeguarding Team for advice via the County Welfare Officer

Parents should be informed and invited to a meeting to discuss the problem

If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted

The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly

An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour

In cases of adults reported to be bullying cricketers under 18, the ECB must always be informed and will advise on action to be taken.

Prevention

These include:

Developing a children’s code of conduct (see guidance in ‘Safe hands’)

Agreeing behaviour contracts

Having discussions about bullying and why it matters

Anti-bullying Policy should be reviewed by committee every year.