Anytown Bullying Policy
At Anytown, we have a firm policy against all types of bullying. Everyone in the program is expected to treat each other with respect. This includes delegates (campers), volunteers, and NCCJ staff members. Our Anytown staff has been trained to recognize all incidents of bullying and take them seriously. We promote respectful communication between staff and delegates and work together as a team to ensure that each delegate has a wonderful and safe experience at Anytown.
What is bullying?
Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional, is repeated over time, and involves an imbalance of power or strength. Bullying can take on various forms, including:
- Physical bullying – when one person engages in physical force against another person, such as by hitting, punching, pushing, kicking, pinching, or restraining another.
- Verbal bullying – when someone uses their words to hurt another, such as by belittling or calling another a hurtful name.
- Nonverbal or relational bullying – when one person manipulates a relationship or desired relationship to harm another person. This can include social exclusion, friendship manipulation, or gossip. This type of bullying also includes intimidating another person by using gestures.
- Hazing – an activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers that person regardless of that person’s willingness to participate.
- Sexualized bullying – when bullying involves behaviors that are sexual in nature. Examples of sexualized bullying behaviors include sexting, bullying that involves exposures of private body parts, and verbal bullying involving sexualized language or innuendos.
Anyone who sees an act of bullying, and/or who then encourages it, is engaging in bullying. This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and volunteers.
Bullying may show up as:
- Teasing
- Name Calling
- Excluding Others
- Rumors
- Ganging Up
- Intentionally disrupting programs and activities
- Mocking or taunting
What's the impact?
The bullying behavior has a negative impact emotionally, spiritually, or physically on the victim.
Discipline Procedures
If a delegate does not follow Anytown's community agreements, we will take the following action steps as behavior problems progress:
- Staff will redirect the delegate to more appropriate behavior.
- If innapropriate behavior continues, the delegate will be reminded of the first warning they received. NCCJ staff will work with the student to decide on appropriate action steps. A phone call home may occur at this point if staff and/or student feel like this is necessary or could be helpful.
- If a delegate's behavior continues, the delegate's parent/guardian will be notified, or the delegate may be dismissed from camp.
Bullying incidents and action steps will be documented by NCCJ staff.
If a delegate is participating in bullying activities, the delegate's parent/guardian can be called and asked to pick up their child immediately, regardless of the time of day or day of the week.
By signing below I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to the bullying policy above.