The Borough of Harrow Swimming club follows the guidelines in the Swim England Child Protection Policy on bullying procedures.
What is bullying?
Bullying is deliberately hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those bullied to defend themselves. Bullying can be:
- -Verbal – Name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing
- -Emotional – Being unfriendly – sending hurtful text messages, cyberbullying, tormenting (e.g. hiding goggles/floats, using threatening gestures), asking for
- Physical – Pushing, kicking, hitting, punching, throwing equipment or any use of
- -Racist – racial taunts, graffiti, gesture
- -Sexual – Unwanted physical contact or any comments which make you feel uncomfortable in a sexual way including homophobic comments
- -Homophobic – because of, or focusing on the issue of sexuality.
Why is it important to respond to bullying?
Bullying hurts and no one deserves to be hurt – everyone should be treated with respect. Swimmers who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.
THE BOROUGH OF HARROW SWIMMING CLUB WILL RESPOND TO BULLYING PROMPTLY AND EFFECTIVELY!
Objects of this policy
- -To ensure that all coaches, teachers, members, swimmers, and parents have an understanding of what bullying
- -To ensure all teaching and coaching staff know what the club policy is on bullying and follow it when bullying is
- -All members, swimmers and parents know what the club policy is on bullying and what they should do if bullying As a club we take bullying seriously. Members, swimmers and parents will be supported when bullying is reported and all reports will be treated in a confidential manner.
Signs and symptoms:
A child may show they are being bullied by physical signs or by behaviour. Adults should investigate if a child:
- -Says they are being bullied
- -Is unwilling to go to club sessions
- -Becomes withdrawn, anxious, or lacking in confidence
- Falls ill before training sessions
- Comes home with clothes torn or swimming equipment damaged
- -Have possessions go “missing”
- -Asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay 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 may indicate other problems but bullying should be considered as a possibility and should be investigated.
Procedures
If you are being bullied or suspect that someone else is being bullied you must report the incident either to the Club Welfare Officer or by ringing SwimLine – (0808 100 4001). Alternatively, you can tell your coach/teacher who will, in turn, inform the Club Welfare Officer or any Club Executive member.
Action taken:
-Bullying is reported
-Parents informed and asked for meeting
-Bullying behaviour will be investigated and stopped
-An attempt will be made to make bully (or bullies) change their behaviour
-If mediation fails and the bullying is seen to continue disciplinary action will be taken
