Derbyshire Cricket Foundation (the Foundation) is 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 the Foundation. 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 place. This means anyone who knows bullying is happening is expected to tell someone who can do something about it.
This Policy applies to all Derbyshire Cricket Foundation employees, volunteers, coaches, and committees.
Objectives of this policy
- All adults and children at the Foundation should have an understanding of what bullying is
- All officials, coaching and non-coaching staff should know what the Foundation policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported
- All children and parents should know what the Foundation policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises
- As a Foundation, we take bullying seriously. Children and parents should be assured they will be supported when bullying is reported
- Bullying will not be tolerated
In cases of adults reported to be bullying cricketers under 18, the ECB must always be informed.
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.
The Foundation has a responsibility to respond promptly, and effectively, to issues of bullying.
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.
What to do it you are being bullied
- Talk to someone you can trust – your coach, team manager, parent, friend or the County Safeguarding Officer
- They will take your concern seriously – if they don’t – tell someone else
What will Derbyshire Cricket Foundation do?
- We will take your concerns seriously
- We will talk to you about them
- We may discuss this with your parents or carers
- We will talk to the bully and look into the bullying behaviour
- We will try to help the bully change their behaviour
- We will support you through the whole process
- If the bullying continues, we will need to take further action against the bully
- We will inform the County Safeguarding Officer to support and advise
In cases of adults reported to be bullying children, the ECB Safeguarding Team will be informed and will advise on the action to be taken.
Further Support
Contact the County Safeguarding Officer – safeguarding@dcfcricket.com or 07960 449759
ChildLine
Kidscape
Email us: info@dcfcricket.com or Call us: 01332 386 602
