Antibullying Policy

Bullying is intentional behaviour that hurts someone else. It includes name calling, hitting, pushing, spreading rumours, threatening, or undermining someone. It can happen anywhere, including at home, at cricket or online. It is usually a repeated behaviour and can hurt someone both emotionally and physically.

Bullying can be:

• Emotional: being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (hiding kit, threatening gestures, commenting negatively on performance).
• Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, punching, or any use of violence.
• Discriminatory: relating to someone’s protected characteristics (age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, etc).
• Sexual: unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments.
• Verbal: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing.
• Online: via messages, social media, or digital platforms.

Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. In situations where children are bullying other children, this should be addressed immediately, and their behaviour discussed with their parents.

All members of our club and the cricket clubs associated to the ECB, have a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying towards children.

A person may indicate they are being bullied by signs or behaviour. You should speak with our Club Safeguarding Officer if someone:

• 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• Becomes withdrawn, anxious, or lacking in confidence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
• Gives improbable excuses for any of the above

In more extreme cases, a victim of bullying may:

• Display anxious behaviours
• Cry themselves to sleep or have nightmares
• Become uncharacteristically aggressive, disruptive, or unreasonable
• Bully other people or siblings
• Stop eating
• Self-harm
• Attempt or threaten suicide
• Run away

• Report any bullying incidents to our Club Safeguarding Officer straight away.
• The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying will be investigated thoroughly.
• A plan will be implemented to support the victim whilst this investigation is ongoing. If the alleged bully is a child, consideration will be given to what support they might need.
• In cases of serious bullying, the incidents may be reported to the ECB Safeguarding Team. The Club Safeguarding Officer will discuss this with the County Safeguarding Officer.
• If the bullying relates to a child, then parents should be informed and will be asked to come to a meeting to discuss the situation.
• If necessary and appropriate, the police will be consulted.
• An attempt will be made to help the bully understand and address their bullying behaviour and how it impacts others.

We will use KIDSCAPE methods to help children prevent bullying. As and when appropriate, these may include:

• Writing a set of club rules
• Signing a behaviour contract
• Having discussions about bullying and why it matters

This policy is based on guidance provided to schools by KIDSCAPE, a voluntary organisation committed to helping prevent child bullying. Kidscape also have a Parent Advice Line.