Anti Bullying Policy

Statement of intent

Matlock Athletic Club is committed to providing a caring and tolerant environment for all our members so they can participate in running in a safe and welcoming environment. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our club. If bullying does occur, all club members or parents should be able to inform the committee, and to have confidence 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 Welfare Officer or any committee member.

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 be:

  • Emotional: being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally and physically);
  • tormenting, (e.g hiding clothes, threatening gestures );
  • Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence;
  • Verbal-name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing;
  • Racist: racial taunts, graffiti, gestures;
  • Sexual: unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments; or
  • Homophobic: because of, or focussing on the issue of sexuality.

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 young person can be devastating and in some cases affect all aspects of their life, in extreme circumstances it can lead to suicide threats or even attempts.

This club has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.

Objectives of this policy:

  • All club members, coaches, and parents/carers should have an understanding of what bullying is;
  • All club members and coaching staff should know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported;
  • All runners 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. Runners and parents/carers should be assured that they would be supported when bullying is reported; and
  • Bullying will not be tolerated.

Reviewed November 2023

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