we are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our members so they can participate in football in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our club. If bullying does occur, all club members or parents should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING club. 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 or domineering another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can be:

 Emotional – being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally and physically) sending hurtful electronic messages, tormenting, (e.g. hiding personal items, threatening gestures).
 Physical – pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence.
 Racist – racial taunts, graffiti, gestures.
 Sexual – unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive/explicit comments.
 Homophobic – because of, or focusing on the issue of sexuality.
 Verbal – name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing.

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. Individuals who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving. The impact upon a child or young person can be devastating and in some cases effect all aspects of their life, in extreme circumstances it can lead to suicide threats or even attempts.

Darwen Girls # Ladies has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.

Objectives of this policy.

 All club members, coaches, officials and parents/carers should have an understanding of what bullying is.
 All club members, officials and coaching staff and committee members should know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.
 All players and parents/carers should know what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.
 As a club we take bullying seriously. Players and parents/carers should be assured that they would be supported when bullying is reported.
 Bullying will not be tolerated.

Signs and indicators.

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

 Says he/she is being bullied.
 Is unwilling to go to club sessions.
 Becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence.
 Feels ill before training sessions.
 Comes home with clothes torn or training equipment damaged.
 Has possessions 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:

 Starts stammering.
 Cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares.
 Becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable.
 Stops eating.
 Attempts or threatens suicide or runs away.

These signs and behaviours may indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.

Procedures.

 Report bullying to the Club Welfare Officer or a member of the committee or contact the County FA Child Protection Officer.
 In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be referred to the CFA CPO for advice and possibly to the FA Case Management Team.
 Parents should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem.
 If necessary and appropriate, the 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.
 If mediation fails and the bullying is seen to continue the club will initiate disciplinary action under the clubs constitution.

Action that will be taken by the Darwen Girls&Ladies.

If the club decides it is appropriate for them to deal with the situation, we will follow the procedure outlined below.

 Reconciliation – we will facilitate a meeting between the parties involved. It may be that a genuine apology solves the problem.
 If this fails/is not appropriate, the disciplinary committee will meet with the parent/carer and child alleging bullying to get full details of the allegation. Minutes will be taken for clarity, which will be agreed by all those present as a true account.
 The same committee members will then meet with the alleged bully (bullies) parents/carers and put the allegations to them, and record their view on the allegation. Again minutes will be taken for clarity, and agreed as a true account by all present.
 If bullying has occurred in the view of the disciplinary committee the the following sanctions can be considered.
 Warning – as to future behaviour with a period of scrutiny.
 Parent of the bully will be asked to attend training sessions – this situation will be monitored by the committee to ensure no further bullying is taking place
 Temporary suspension – with a view to permanent suspension if behaviour continues.
 Permanent suspension.
 All coaches involved with the individuals will be made aware of the concerns and outcome of the process i.e. the warning/suspension.

In cases of adults reported to be bullying anyone within the club.

 The County FA Child protection officer will be informed of all cases of allegations/suspicions of bullying by any adult involved with Darwen Girls # Ladies on a child under the age of 18, who will give guidance as to what actions the club should take.
 If the CFA CPO advises that the club should handle the case internally the the same procedure as outlined above will be followed.
 If the CFA CPO decide to handle the complaint themselves then Darwen Girls # Ladies will facilitate any information and assistance requested by the CFA CPO.
 More serious cases could be referred to the police and/or social services.

Prevention:

 The club will have a written constitution, which includes what is acceptable and proper behaviour for all members of which the anti-bullying policy is just one part.
 All club members and parents will sign to accept the constitution upon joining the club.
 The Child welfare Officer will raise awareness about bullying and why it matters, and if issues of bullying arise within the club, will consider meeting with members to discuss the issue openly and constructively.