BEND SWIM CLUB, INC.
Action Plan to Address Bullying

Purpose

Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at Bend Swim Club (the “Club”) and will not be tolerated. Bullying is counterproductive to team spirit and can be devastating to a victim. The Club is committed to providing a safe, caring and friendly environment for all of our members. If bullying does occur, all athletes and parents should know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. Anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell a coach, board member or athlete/mentor.

Objectives of the Club’s Bullying Policy and Action Plan:

  1. To make it clear that the Club will not tolerate bullying in any form.
  2. To define bullying and give all board members, coaches, parents and swimmers a good understanding of what bullying is.
  3. To make it known to all parents, swimmers and coaching staff that there is a policy and protocol should any bullying issues arise
  4. To make how to report bullying clear and understandable.
  5. To spread the word that the Bend Swim Club takes bullying seriously and that all swimmers and parents can be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.

What is Bullying?

Generally, bullying is the use of aggression, whether intentional or not, which hurts another person. Bullying results in pain and distress.

Bullying is the severe or repeated use, regardless of when or where it may occur, by one or more USA Swimming members of an oral, written, electronic or technological expression, image, sound, data or intelligence of any nature (regardless of the method of transmission), or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at any other member or Participating Non-Member that to a reasonably objective person has the effect of:

  1. Causing physical or emotional harm to the other member or damage to the other member’s property;
  2. Placing the other member in reasonable fear of harm to himself/herself or of damage to his/her property;
  3. Creating a hostile environment for the other member at any USA Swimming activity;
  4. Infringing on the rights of the other member at any USA Swimming activity; or
  5. Materially and substantially disrupting the training process or the orderly operation of any USA Swimming activity (including practices, workouts and other club/LSC events).

Reporting Procedure

An athlete who feels that he or she has been bullied is asked to do one or more of the following things:

  • Talk to your parents;
  • Talk to a Club Coach, Board Member, or other designated individual;
  • Write a letter or email to the Club Coach, Board Member, or other designated individual;
  • Make a report to the USA Swimming Safe Sport staff.

There is no express time limit for initiating a complaint under this procedure, but every effort should be made to bring the complaint forward as soon as possible to ensure accuracy and prompt resolution.

How We Handle Bullying

If bullying is occurring during team-related activities, we stop bullying on the spot using the following steps:

  1. Intervene immediately. It is okay to get another adult to help.
  2. Separate the kids involved.
  3. Make sure everyone is safe.
  4. Meet any immediate medical or mental health needs.
  5. Stay calm. Reassure the kids involved, including bystanders.
  6. Model respectful behavior when you intervene.

Finding Out What Happened

  1. First, we get the facts.
    1. Keep all the involved children separate.
    2. Get the story from several sources, both adults and kids.
    3. Listen without blaming.
    4. Don’t call the act “bullying” while you are trying to understand what happened.
    5. It may be difficult to get the whole story, especially if multiple athletes are involved or the bullying involves social bullying or cyber bullying. Collect all available information.
  2. Then, we determine if it's bullying. There are many behaviors that look like bullying but require different approaches. Review the USA Swimming definition of bullying and consider:
    • What is the history between the kids involved?
    • Have there been past conflicts?
    • Is there a power imbalance? Remember that a power imbalance is not limited to physical strength.
    • Has this happened before? Is the child worried it will happen again?

    It may not matter “who started it.” Some kids who are bullied may be seen as annoying or provoking, but this does not excuse the bullying behavior.

    Once you have determined if the situation is bullying, support all of the kids involved.

Supporting the Kids Involved

  1. Support the kids who are being bullied
    • Listen and focus on the child. Learn what’s been going on and show you want to help.
    • Work together to resolve the situation and protect the bullied child. Consider input from the child, parents, teammates, and coaches.
  2. Address bullying behavior
    • Help the child understand the behavior was wrong and harmful.
    • Calmly and clearly state that bullying will not be tolerated.
    • Explore reasons behind the behavior (e.g., insecurity, stress, being bullied themselves).
    • Involve the child in making amends (apologizing, doing good deeds, repairing damage).
  3. Support bystanders
    • Be a friend to the person being bullied.
    • Tell a trusted adult (parent, coach, or board member).
    • Help the target get away from the situation.
    • Set a good example by not bullying others.
    • Don’t give the bully an audience; walk away.