In this document we, BUDO GOUWELEEUW, have laid down how, by encouraging the desired behaviour, we endeavour to prevent bullying within the club. Then it is explained how we deal with situations where this does happen / threatens to happen and what sanctions are possible if a situation is not resolved.
1. Promoting good relations
It is very important that budoka feel safe in their sports environment. This includes not feeling bullied. To minimize the risk of this happening, we have drawn up a number of rules of conduct. These rules can be found below. A number of things are not allowed in our club. These include:
- Judging people on their appearance, origin, gender or other personal characteristics or making hurtful remarks about them.
- Unwanted touching of the belongings of another person
- Deliberately treating another person harshly and/or physically hurting them while practicing
- Addressing each other with a nickname that is not experienced as positive by the intended person.
- Swearing or cursing
- Gossiping
In addition, we explicitly expect the following from members:
- Always try to solve quarrels together
- When this is not possible: seek contact with the trainer, confidential contact person and/or board member.
- Listen carefully to each other
- Help each other where necessary
- Make sure that newcomers to the group are well received and taken care of
- The above rules of conduct will be made known to all our members upon registration and can be found on the website. Furthermore, the trainers regularly pay attention to them and we monitor compliance during the budo lessons. Moreover, parents/guardians are also asked to report undesirable behavior when they encounter or suspect it.
2. Resolving situations of bullying behavior
If bullying is suspected within the club, the following steps are taken:
- It will be determined if the bullied has tried to resolve it with the bully. If the bully does not work it out, the buddy teacher/trainer will intervene. He/she brings the parties together for a discussion and tries to solve the quarrel or bullying together and to make (new) agreements.
- A contact is sought with the parents of the parties after the children have been informed. If necessary, a conversation is held with the entire group. In this meeting, the causes and consequences for victims, perpetrators, followers and the silent middle group can be discussed. They can discuss whether they realize the grief they cause with their behavior and/or attitude. Then the group can be asked for suggestions on how the situation can be improved for the bullied budoka.
In case of repeated quarrels/bullying behavior, the teacher takes a clear stand and holds a punitive conversation with the bully. The phase of punishment/sanctions comes into effect (see section 3). The name of the arguer/bully is also recorded in a report. With each report, the teacher describes ‘the circumstances’. The teacher and parents try to work together in good faith to find a solution that is satisfactory for everyone. When it comes to young children, the parents are actively involved.
3. Sanctions
Should attempts to improve the situation by budokas, trainer and parents not lead to a solution, the club may proceed to impose sanctions. A decision to do so always follows from
always follows consultation between trainer and board. The possible sanctions increase from light to heavier and can be given in that order if a situation does not improve over a longer period of time. Below, the sanctions are listed by category.
First sanctions
- Not being present for one training session.
- For a certain number of trainings: staying until the other budokas have left for home.
- A written assignment such as a set assignment about the cause and his/her role in the bullying problem through conversation: raise awareness for what he/she is doing to the bullied child.
- Making agreements with the bully about changes in behavior. Compliance with these agreements will be addressed in a brief conversation at the end of each week (for a period of time).
Follow-up Sanctions
- Involve the parents more explicitly in the solution. The budo club has kept a file of the actions that have taken place. This file is the starting point for the discussion. In consultation with the bully, placing the bully in another group.
- In case of persistent bullying behavior, suspend the bully for a certain period of time.
Final sanction
In extreme cases, the bully can be expelled from the club.
On behalf of Budo Gouweleeuw
The board