Bullying, Harassment & Abuse

Girls Hockey Calgary like all hockey associations in Canada strongly opposes all forms of bullying and is committed to stamping out Bullying, Harassment and Abuse. This is a Zero Tolerance item and will result in immediate suspension. As a parent it is important that we understand the signs of bullying, harassment and abuse and take time to talk to our daughters so they may understand their rights and responsibilities. I have taken an excerpt from the Hockey Canada Parents Guide and also provided the link to the document. I hope you find this information helpful.

When is my child unsafe?
Young people are unsafe when someone uses his or her power or position to harm them either emotionally, physically and/or sexually.

These types of violence can be bullying, harassment or abuse. It can happen between peers, between younger and older youth or between adults and youth.

BULLYING

What is bullying?

Bullying is intentionally hurting someone in order to insult, humiliate, degrade or exclude him or her. Basically it is "mean" behaviour. It involves three groups of people: the bullies, the bullied and the bystanders.

Hurtful actions may be:

Physical (used most often by boys)

• hitting

• shoving

• kicking

• spitting on

• grabbing

• beating others up

• damaging or stealing another person's property

Verbal
• name-calling
• humiliating
• degrading behaviours
• may happen over the phone
• hurtful teasing
• threatening someone
• in notes or in person
• through text messaging or chat rooms

Relational (used most often by girls)

• making others look foolish

• excluding peers

• spreading gossip or rumours

• this may happen in person, over the phone, through text messaging, or over the computer

Cyber-Bullying (includes the use of email, cell phones, text messages and internet sites)

• Pretend they are other people online to trick others

• Send threatening or harassing emails

• Spread lies and rumors about the people they are victimizing

• Trick people into revealing personal information

• Send or forward mean text messages

• Post pictures of people without their consent

What is the role of the person who is the bystander?

People who are bystanders or witnesses play a role in the bullying world. Their reaction or lack of reaction often influences the outcome of the interaction:

• a passive response give the person who is bullying a theatre to cause hurt and a sense of reinforcement as there is no opposition.

• a supportive response gives the person who bullies positive attention, alignment, power and social status. The person who is the bystander may also increase their own social status.

• a negative response supports the person being bullied and may stop the bullying; it may also put the person who is the bystander at risk to become the next victim.

Parents Guide to Speak Out!