THERE’S NO ROOM FOR BULLYING IN YOUTH SPORTS

BULLYING DEFINED

Takes many forms Physical – violence (higher in boys) Emotional – written, verbal or

electronic Relational – excluding from

groups/activities (higher in girls) Those involved

Bully, Victim, Bystander How do you define it?

PA DEFINITIONFOR THE SCHOOLS:

"bullying" shall mean an intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act, or a series of acts:1. directed at another student or students;2. which occurs in a school setting;3. that is severe, persistent or pervasive; and4. that has the effect of doing any of the following:

1. substantially interfering with a student's education;2. creating a threatening environment; or3. substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the

school; and "school setting" shall mean in the school, on school grounds, in school vehicles, at a designated bus stop or at any activity sponsored, supervised or sanctioned by the school.

DEFINITIONS AND FACTS

Bullying is: Repeated pattern Deliberate with an intent to harm Power imbalance (real or perceived) Widespread and serious (nearly 30% school aged

children involved somehow – Peckham, 2007) Bullying will often lead to problems:

Academically (160,000 kids miss school each day – U.S. DOJ, Nat. Assoc. of School Psychologists, 2005)

Socially Emotionally With the law

WHAT BULLYING IS NOT

Just teasing or joking around Right of passage Needed for initiation to group or team Boys being boys or girls being girls Natural competition A way to toughen up kids Survival of the fittest The same as conflict, which is a difference of opinion

that can lead to positive change and understanding Something that can be dealt with using conflict

resolution or peer mediation Something that kids should deal with on their own

WHO GETS BULLIED?

Kid who doesn’t fit – depends on the area/school/team Gender Religion or Ethnicity Disability Social class Sexual orientation Intelligence or lack there of Physical appearance including obesity

Peaks in middle school

WHO DOES THE BULLYING?

Peers – usually in groups (one or more bullies with one or more supporters)

Coaches Parents or siblings Teachers

SPORT TEAMSENCOURAGE

BULLYING? Not always – but certain things

facilitate bullying on a sports team Competition against each other for

position, playing time, being favorite of the coach

Bullying generally happens in groups – supporters make it seem like more acceptable/normal behavior

Often kids get “put” in sports by parents in order to learn to fit in – but that takes time

IMPACT OF BULLYING ON YOUTH SPORTS PARTICIPANTS

Short term issues Reduced enjoyment of sport or quit sport Low team morale for all athletes Low self-esteem Health issues Substance abuse Depression Suicidal thoughts/acts

Long term implications Victims become bullies Higher chance of criminal activity (bully) Often experience loneliness as adults

IMPACT OF BULLYING ON YOUR AGENCY &

PROGRAM Low morale and players

dropping out Risk management

Duty to protect players From each other From coaches or parents

who bully

DEVELOPING A PLAN TO PREVENT & ELIMINATE

BULLYING

Policy Procedure Plan Partners Proving success

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Where does your agency/youth sports program stand on bullying?

How do you define bullying? Be specific so there are no doubts!!!

Just because the school district has a policy doesn’t mean you are off the hook

Can model the school district’s policy or create your own

Take a firm stand!

PROCEDURES

Procedures when bullying occurs (can model school district’s procedures) Procedure for dealing with bully

Penalties Counseling/workshops/training

Procedure for helping victim Informing parents Counseling

Procedure for dealing with passive bystanders Penalties Counseling/workshops/training

BULLYING PREVENTION &

INTERVENTION Gather data at the beginning

Questionnaire for the players How frequently? What types? Where? Reported?

Spread the word Policies – bullying not tolerated! Procedures – here’s what will happen if…

Strategies for prevention Educate, train, remind, reward – all athletes,

parents, coaches, administrators Strategies for intervention

Make reporting easy and safe and timely Give coaches the tools to intervene and guidance

to know when to report to admin. and/or police

WORKING WITH FAMILY &

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Contact school district for resources, ideas, copies of their program!

Get parents involved at the planning level – task force

Contact local youth organizations for resources, guidance

Contact local legislators to inquire about funding

WORKING WITH ATHLETES TO

PREVENT BULLYING Pep rally/party/kick off - to bring

attention to anti-bullying program Post definition and rules and send home,

to coaches, to volunteers, to officials Work the program as outlined in your

procedures – be consistent! Keep in touch with parents At the end of the season – evaluate

program and adjust policies and procedures accordingly

EVALUATING YOURANTI-BULLYING

PROGRAM How do we know if it’s working?

Observed bullying decreases – coaches & parents Perceived bullying decreases – athletes Perceived relationships improve – A’s/C’s/P’s Attitudes towards each other improve – athletes Attitudes about program positive – A’s/C’s/P’s Increased reporting – data Increased bystander intervention/reporting –

athletes and data What are we currently doing that is working?

Training of coaches – regularly Educating of parents – regularly Educating of athletes – regularly Ease of reporting

QUESTIONS AND WRAP-UP

Cool resources: www.herointhehallway.com www.stopbullying.gov www.safe4athletes.org www.highmarkhealthyhigh5.com/bullying/index.shtml www.bullypolice.org www.pacer.org/bullying & www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org www.olweus.org/public/bullying.page www.standtogether.tv www.kidsareworthit.com www.stopbullyingnow.com www.tolerance.org