SMLA Harassment, Bullying, and Abuse Policy
The Strathroy Minor Lacrosse Association (SMLA) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all players, volunteers, coaches, managers, parents, and guardians. Harassment, bullying, or any form of abuse will not be tolerated under any circumstances. This policy aims to ensure that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect and that any inappropriate behavior is addressed promptly.
Policy Overview
- Zero Tolerance: SMLA maintains a zero-tolerance stance on harassment, bullying, and abuse in any form. All members of the SMLA community, including volunteers, coaches, trainers, managers, players, and parents/guardians, are expected to comply with this policy.
- Applicability: This policy applies to all SMLA volunteers, coaches, trainers, managers, players, and parents/guardians, both on and off the field.
- Investigation: Any allegations of harassment, bullying, or abuse will be taken seriously and will be thoroughly investigated. The investigation may involve the affected team’s bench staff and/or an appointed committee of SMLA Board Members.
- Consequences: Depending on the severity of the incident, consequences may include verbal warnings, suspension of players, release from teams, trespass notices, or police involvement. All incidents will be documented and addressed in accordance with SMLA guidelines.
Definitions of Harassment and Bullying
a) Harassment
Harassment refers to any behavior that is insulting, intimidating, humiliating, offensive, or physically harmful. This includes but is not limited to:
- Unwelcome behavior: Jokes, innuendo, or teasing about a person’s appearance, body, age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or family members.
- Condescending actions: Patronizing, threatening, or punishing actions that undermine self-esteem or hinder performance.
- Practical jokes: These are intended to cause awkwardness, embarrassment, or danger to someone’s safety, or which negatively impact a person’s performance.
- Unwanted physical contact: This includes any physical contact such as touching, patting, or pinching that is not invited.
- Hazing: Any activity that humiliates, degrades, or endangers the physical or emotional well-being of an individual, usually as a part of group initiation.
- Physical assault or abuse: Any form of deliberate harm or violence.
- Sexual offenses: Any inappropriate or unwanted sexual behavior or advances.
- Creating a hostile environment: Behaviors that, while not necessarily aimed at specific individuals or groups, create a negative or uncomfortable atmosphere for others.
b) Bullying
Bullying is intentionally hurting someone in order to insult, humiliate, degrade, or exclude them. It is based on an imbalance of power and is considered “mean” behavior. Bullying includes:
- Intentional harm: Bullying is purposely harmful and can take many forms, including verbal, physical, or relational aggression.
- Repeated over time: Bullying generally occurs over an extended period, rather than as a single incident.
- Oppressive behavior: Bullying isolates victims, often with the intention to control or manipulate.
- Power differential: It usually involves a clear imbalance of power between the bully and the victim.
Forms of Hurtful Actions
Bullying and harassment can manifest in various forms, including:
i) Physical Bullying
- Hitting, kicking, grabbing, shoving, or spitting on someone.
- Damaging or stealing someone’s property.
ii) Verbal Bullying
- Name-calling, humiliating, or degrading others.
- Hurtful teasing, threatening someone, or making negative comments in person, via phone, text, social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter), or any other digital platform.
iii) Relational Bullying
- Excluding peers, making others look foolish, or spreading gossip or rumors.
- This can take place in person, through text messages, phone calls, or online communication.
Reporting and Addressing Concerns
If you witness or experience any form of harassment, bullying, or abuse, we encourage you to report it immediately to an SMLA representative. All complaints will be taken seriously, and appropriate actions will be taken in a timely manner.