STATEMENT OF INTENT

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our members so they can participate in a relaxed, happy and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our society. If bullying does occur, all children and parents should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively.

 

We are a TELLING society. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell a youth leader, friend or parent. We believe and teach that all our members should be kind and treat one another with respect and kindness.

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What is Bullying?

Bullying is the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. It can happen face-to-face or through cyberspace, and comes in many different forms:

 

Bullying can be and is not limited to:

• Verbal: Name-calling, spreading rumours, teasing mocking, taunting and threats.

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• Emotional: Being unfriendly and mean, excluding someone (emotionally and physically) sending hurtful text messages, tormenting, mocking, setting people up, spreading rumours, staring and glaring to which the victim feels intimidated.

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• Physical: Any form of physical violence, intimidating behaviour, theft or the intentional damage of possessions. This includes hitting, kicking and pushing.

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• Sexual: Unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments.

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• Discrimination comments: Jokes about disabled people and conditions, sexist comments, not being inclusive or respecting someones gender, sexuality or pronouns.

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• Cyberbullying: The misuse of digital technologies or communications to bully a person or a group, typically through messages or actions that are threatening and/or intended to cause offence, anxiety or humiliation. Examples of cyberbullying include:

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• Abusive comments, rumours, gossip and threats made using digital communications and/or technologies - this includes internet trolling.

• Sharing pictures, videos or personal information without the consent of the owner and with the intent to cause harm or humiliation.

• Hacking into someone's email, phone or online profiles to extract and share personal information, or to send hurtful content while posing as that person.

• Creating dedicated websites that intend to harm, make fun of someone or spread malicious rumours.

• Pressurising someone to do something they do not want to such as sending a sexually explicit image.

 

Mid Cheshire Youth Theatre commits to ensure that any online bullying will be dealt with swiftly and appropriately in line with procedures detailed in this policy.

 

People can be targeted for any reason, but people who bully others often target 'difference' and bullying can be a form of wider discrimination. For example, bullying behaviour may be:

• Racist: Targeted at ethnicity, skin colour, and language, religious or cultural practices.

• Homophobic, biphobic and/or transphobic: Targeted at actual or perceived sexuality and/or gender.

• Sexual and/or sexist: Sexual and/or sexist behaviour that is intended to cause offence, humiliation or intimidation.

• Disablist: Targeted at an impairment or special educational need.

• Targeting any 'difference': Bullying behaviour can also be targeted at 'looks', weight and height, colour of hair, wearing glasses or braces, acne, psoriasis and eczema, scars, marks or conditions of the face or body, body odour, poverty, gifts and talents or family situation (e.g. divorce, bereavement, homelessness).

 

MCYT is committed to playing its part to teach members to treat each other with respect and we operate a zero tolerance policy with regards to bullying and harassment. Bullying, harassment, abuse or other inappropriate behaviour by members, parents or guests is strictly forbidden and will result in expulsion and such other legal remedies as may be available.

All members must treat all MCYT participants, staff and youth leaders with respect and consideration. MCYT does not tolerate rude, offensive or aggressive remarks and mean behaviour in any way.

 

The safeguarding of our students is our highest priority.  Any member found to be bullying or harassing other members will result in expulsion.

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PROCEDURES

1. Report bullying incidents to a Youth Leader or one of the societies committee members.

2. Parents/carers should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem.

3. If necessary and appropriate, the police will be consulted.

4. The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly.

5. If bullying has found to have taken place, the bully will be excluded from MCYT.

6. More serious cases may be referred to the Police and/or Children’s Social Care.

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