Anti-Bullying Policy
Policy Statement
Klub Kildare aims to create a supportive environment where any form of bullying is completely unacceptable in our club. Instances of bullying are considered a serious breach of our code of conduct which states that all children and adults in the club have the right to be treated with respect regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.
What is Bullying?
Bullying can be defined as repeated aggression, verbal, psychological or physical conducted by an individual or group against others. A bully refers to a person who uses such bullying behaviours intended to intimidate the victim. Such behaviour may include teasing, taunting, threatening, violent behavior against the victim. Bullies operate using threats and fear. Bullying primarily exists in an environment where the victim does not feel empowered to tell someone who can help or where it is not considered safe to do so.
Cyberbullying refers to bullying which is carried out using the internet, mobile phone and social media or other technological devices to harm the target.
Bullying can happen from:
Child to child
Child to adult
Adult to child
Adult to adult
Seven Key Features of Bullying:
An intention to be hurtful
This intention is carried out
The behaviour harms the target
The bully overwhelms the target with his/her power
There is no justification for the action
The behaviour repeats itself again and again
The bully derives satisfaction from hurting the target
Aim of Policy
The aim of this policy is to protect all members of Klub Kildare and ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of all members participating within the club.
The Impact of Bullying
Impact on the “target”
Physical symptoms: headaches, stomach problems, disturbed sleep, visual marks or bruising on the body etc..
Psychological symptoms: anger, worry, fear, depression, loss of confidence, suicidal thoughts.
Impact on the “bully”
May include being socially isolated, Lack of empathy, Low self-esteem and getting into trouble.
Types of Bullying:
Bullying comes in three primary forms, all of which are possible within the activities of the club.
Verbal: threatening behaviour, spreading rumours, name calling, teasing, making sexist/racist/sectarian remarks, highlighting physical or sporting ability.
Physical: kicking, punching, spitting, biting, tripping, theft or destruction of property or kit.
Emotional: ignoring, excluding, getting people into trouble, leaving out of games or activities, talking behind their backs, writing unpleasant notes/letters/graffiti/letters/text messages/emails/social media posts or comments.
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of every member of the club to prevent or, if needs be, to deal with, incidents of bullying. All members have a responsibility to promote an “anti-bullying ethos” and ensure that all members are aware of the clubs’ code of conduct. If a formal disclosure or compliant is made regarding bullying, then it may be referred to the child welfare committee to investigate.
While more extreme forms of bullying would be regarded as physical and emotional abuse are reported to the Gardai or statutory child welfare bodies such as Tusla.
However, all managers and coaches retain a duty to identify and act where they see or have suspicions of bullying within the club. Coaches should talk to players, their parents and volunteers to inform them of the clubs’ policy and reassure those who may be involved in a bullying incident that “it is okay to tell”.
How Can Bullying be prevented?
No single action will prevent bullying however some guidelines can help on an ongoing basis:
Ensure members always follow club code of conduct.
Deal with any incidents as they arise
Never tell a young person to ignore bullying, they can’t ignore it, it hurts too much
Reinforce that there is “permission to tell” culture in the club
Offer the victim making disclosure immediate support but do not jump to conclusions or overpromise outcomes (e.g.: this will never happen again)
Encourage young people to negotiate, cooperate and help others
Try to use a “no blame approach” so reaction to an event is not “bullying the bully” – talk to all parties involved and help all understand the hurt they are causing and make the problem as shared concern of all involved
Never encourage a child to take the matter into their own hands
Tell the victim there is nothing wrong with them and it is not their fault.
Dealing with a Bullying Disclosure
At first instance, we should look to deal with the matter in an informal manner:
Speak to those involved without labelling
Seek to immediately rectify the matter if possible
Informally consult with child welfare committee to put incident in proper context
Take a “common sense” approach
Formal Response
When an immediate intervention fails to resolve the situation, it should be dealt with as a breach of the code of conduct and be handled as a formal disciplinary issue.
Confidentiality must be maintained
Formal minutes of meetings and discussions of the incident(s) must be maintained from this point
More detailed discussion and interviews about circumstances of the incident must be held.
If under 18, then the parents / guardians must be involved in each of these steps.
If no immediate resolution to detailed discussions, then, follow these steps:
Speak to witnesses or other bystanders to ascertain all facts
Gather all facts possible and make a recommendation to the Disciplinary Committee
Agree an outcome
Inform all parties in writing of decision (appeal is allowable)
Implement actions
Record and monitor all investigative activities
Interview the Target
The Manager/coach should speak to the child however if required a member of child welfare committee can conduct such interview. The approach will depend on whether the disclosure is direct (the child involved) or a 3rd party witness is disclosing.
Try asking the following questions:
Was it verbal or physical intimidation?
How hurt is the victim?
Was this within own team or another group?
Are your parents/guardians aware?
Always ensure the child knows that his/her name will not come out in any investigation should one be conducted. The disclosure is strictly confidential.
Always actively listen. Take appropriate notes as required but keep those strictly confidential also. Seek out assistance on the matter from our child welfare committee members as required on how to manage such disclosure.
Meet with those involved including bystanders and other witnesses.
Should the circumstance warrant it, then a meeting with all those involved might be required. The parents of the children must be informed of the background to the meeting in advance. Ensure the severity of the topic is understood by all. This could include those who colluded or joined in the bullying. This is sensitive so a maximum of 8 people in total should join, if required meet with groups separately to discuss. Speak only of the hurt caused in general terms with no reference to the victim. Explain the problem without allocating blame at this point.
Always work toward a point of mediation rather than confrontation. If this does not work the formal investigative process must be explored.
June 2025