Dealing with Bullying
Practice
About this tool
It’s a good idea to keep a detailed record of bullying incidents you’ve witnessed or been a target of. Even if you’re not ready to tell anyone about the bullying yet, this record will help you report it once you feel ready.
Independent Third Party Complaint Process
SUBMIT A COMPLAINT >
Hockey Canada and its Members want to end the culture of silence that exists in parts of hockey. To help ensure that we are a safe space for raising concerns, Hockey Canada has established a new, fully independent, and confidential reporting mechanism for all individuals regarding any incidents involving Hockey Canada sanctioned programming.
Maltreatment, Abuse, Harassment, Bullying
Maltreatment, Abuse, Harrassment & Bullying Guide
Fair Play Means Safety for All. Hockey Alberta is committed to providing a safe environment for everyone involved in the game. Any form of bullying, harassment, or abuse - whether physical, emotional or sexual - of any participant in any program is unacceptable.
It can happen between peers, younger and older players, or adults and young players. Each association, team, parent, volunteer and staff member is expected to take all reasonable steps to safeguard the welfare of participants - especially young participants - and protect them from any form of violence. There is a shared responsibility with parents and guardians to nurture the physical and emotional well-being of our players.
Who is Responsible for Safety?
Each association, team, parent, volunteer and staff member is expected to take all reasonable steps to safeguard the welfare of participants - especially young participants - and protect them from any form of violence and harm - psychological and physical (maltreatment, abuse, harassment, bullying). There is a shared responsibility with parents and guardians to nurture the physical and emotional well-being of our players.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? >
Dealing with Bullying
What is Bullying?
Bullying is repeated, unwanted aggressive behavior by one or more individuals towards another. Bullying involves an observed or perceived power imbalance, and can result in physical, social or academic harm or distress for the targeted individual. Bullying is typically behavior that is repeated.
A bully is usually someone both you and your child know and who misuses his/her power over your child. This may be a peer, a young person, or an adult. A child is most vulnerable when s/he is alone with another person, or in a group setting where there is inadequate supervision.
Bullying is not:
- Conflict between friends
- An argument between people of equal power
- Accidental
- A “one-time” event (usually)
- Friendly teasing that all parties are enjoying
- Something people grow out of (Beyond the Hurt, Canadian Red Cross, Beyond the Hurt, 2016)
Types of Bullying
PHYSICAL
Hitting, shoving, kicking, spitting on, grabbing, beating up others, damaging/stealing property
VERBAL
Name-calling, humiliation, degrading behavior, hurtful teasing, threatening. Verbal bullying can occur in notes, in person, over the phone, through text messaging or chat rooms, and/or via social media.
RELATIONAL
Making others look foolish, excluding peers, spreading gossip or rumours. Relational bullying can occur in person, over the phone, through text messaging, or over the computer
CYBER
Impersonate other people, send threatening/ harassing emails, spread lies/ rumours, trick people into revealing personal information, send/forward mean text messages, post pictures of people without consent. Cyberbullying includes the use of email, cell phones, text messages and Internet sites.
‹ Back to Abuse and Harassment
How to keep children safe
I. Focus on the following five essentials to help keep your child safe:
a) Communication
- Listen, talk, believe and reassure your child.
- Provide opportunities for conversations.
- Be open to any questions; nothing is off limits.
- Be open to discussing difficult subjects such as sexuality.
- Develop frank and open communication with the coaches.
- If you have concerns, communicate them to the appropriate persons.
- If you see or hear bullying, harassing or abusive behaviour, speak out!
b) Knowledge
- Make your child aware of vulnerable situations.
- Review your club’s bullying, harassment and abuse policy and procedures.
- Be aware of your club’s screening and selection process for staff and volunteers.
- Get to know the adults who are interacting with your child.
- Discuss with coaches their expectations and the setting of boundaries: physical, sexual and social.
c) Develop Personal Skills
- Teach your child specific ways to handle difficult situations.
- Help your child define their personal boundaries.
- Teach your child how to be assertive when their boundaries are crossed.
d) Build a safety plan
- Develop check-ins, contingency plans, family codes
- Attend practices and games.
- Be wary of regular private closed practices.
- Be concerned of time spent alone with older youth and adults beyond training and game times.
e) Advocate
- You are your child’s strongest supporter.
- Evaluate situations according to the “best interest of your child”.
II. Be aware, and pay attention to in-person and online interactions involving your child.
a) In-Person
- If someone is being bullied, s/he should not watch, laugh or join in.
- Ensure all children are included in group activities and inappropriate behaviours are addressed.
- Help your child see the value of offering empathy and support to those who are bullied.
- Demonstrate respectful behaviours at home and in your daily interactions.
b) Online (Cyberbullying)
- Learn about the websites, blogs, chatrooms and cyber-lingo that your children are using.
- Recognize that online communication is a very important social aspect in your child’s life.
- Talk to your children about what is acceptable behaviour online and offline.
- Keep the computer in a common area so you can monitor activities.
- Establish communication lines with your child so s/he feels comfortable talking about cyberbullying experiences. Let them know that you are there to support them.
- Report any incident of online harassment and physical threats to the local police or your Internet Service Provider.
- Report any bullying that occurs over your child’s cell phone to your phone service provider. You may have to change the phone number if the problem does not stop.
When you believe that your child, or any child, is a victim of abuse, harassment or bullying, report it to the proper authorities.
