Bullying behaviour can be defined as repeated aggression be it verbal, psychological or physical which is conducted by an individual or group against others. Bullying contains 7 key features (Let's Beat Bullying):
- An intention to be hurtful
- This intention is carried out
- The behaviour harms the target
- The bully overwhelms the target with his or her power
- There is often no justification for the action
- The behaviour repeats itself again and again
- The bully derives a sense
Bullying behaviour can have serious detrimental effects on the organisation, such as, reducing efficiency; reducing quality of service provided to young people; low morale among leaders, volunteers and participants; an atmosphere of tension; and high rates of absenteeism.
This policy statement is designed to counter bullying behaviour. Youth Venture Project requires all leaders, volunteers and participants to be aware and implement this policy. Incidents will be dealt with immediately and are not tolerated under any circumstances.
Prevention
Youth Venture Project activities are designed to have a positive effect on overall health and well-being where health is considered in its’ broadest terms, emphasising mental and social as well as physical aspects.YVP contributes to achieving this goal by incorporating the buddy program, mentoring and team building as key aspects of all activities. These methods enable individuals and groups to further develop their personal and social skills, thereby reducing the likelihood of bullying occurring in the first instance, and enabling people to address it in an appropriate manner if it does occur.
Repeating anti-bullying messages to all members of the organisation is an effective way to prevent bullying from
happening in the first instance. The countering bullying policy will be reviewed at each YVP annual general meeting and leaders will be responsible for promoting awareness throughout the year amoung volunteers and participants. The messages will spell out the organisations stance on bullying, what bullying is and the different forms it can take, that it is ‘OK’ to tell and what the organisations policy and procedures are in relation to bullying.
A code of conduct has been written and all leaders, volunteers and participants will be made aware of it. It will be a condition of participating in a YVP activity that a statement be made in writing that the code of conduct has been read and agreed to.
Reporting
Anti-bullying Designated Person
The Designated Person is the title given to the person appointed by YVP to deal with bullying issues reported by YVP leaders/volunteers or young people participating in a YVP activity.The Designated Person for YVP is Elaine Phelan. She can be contacted on 087 126 5569.
It is this designated person’s responsibility to:
- Highlight the organisations policy in relation to anti bullying;
- Make all members of the organisation aware of procedures in relation to reporting an incident of bullying;
- To make workers in the organisation aware of the strategies in place to respond to an incident of bullying.
The designated person will document in writing all reports of bulling. These reports will include:
- Exactly what was said or done;
- The date, time and location;
- All relevant background information;
- Record how you felt, before, during and after the incident;
- Identify who was involved and what part they played in the incident – including bystanders;
- Retain all copies of memos, e-mails etc. that support evidence of the bullying behaviour.
Response
The following are strategies will be used to respond to an incident of bullying with leaders, volunteers or participants. Where possible the response will be limited to informal action to prevent embarrassment.
- Time-out
- Denial of Privileges
- Parental / Guardian Involvement
- Suspension of Expulsion from Activity
The more extreme forms of bullying behaviour would be regarded as physical or emotional abuse, and are reportable to the statutory authorities.
