Swinford GAA is committed to promoting a respectful, safe, and inclusive environment where bullying of any kind is not tolerated. As part of our responsibility to underage members, we take a whole-club approach to preventing and responding to bullying. Allegations of bullying are treated as serious breaches of our Code of Behaviour (Underage), and we aim to foster a culture of mutual respect where all members can enjoy and thrive in our games.
What Is Bullying?
Bullying is defined as repeated negative behaviour — whether verbal, emotional, physical, or online — that is intended to hurt, intimidate, or undermine another person. It can include:
- Physical aggression or threats
- Verbal abuse or name-calling
- Social exclusion or manipulation
- Cyberbullying via text, messaging apps, or social media
- Identity-based bullying, including racist or homophobic remarks
Common Features of Bullying
Bullying usually involves:
- A clear intent to cause harm
- An abuse of power or control
- Harmful effects on the person targeted
- Repetitive behaviour over time
- A lack of justification for the actions
- A sense of satisfaction for the person causing harm
Where It Can Occur
Bullying can occur in a variety of relationships, including:
- Between children or teenagers
- From child to adult
- From adult to child
- Between adults
Signs That Someone May Be Experiencing Bullying
Some common indicators include:
- Anxiety about attending training, games, or school
- A drop in academic or athletic performance
- Avoidant or withdrawn behaviour
- Low confidence or depression
- Unexplained injuries or damage to belongings
- Requests for money or missing personal items
Preventing Bullying in Swinford GAA
To actively prevent bullying, Swinford GAA implements the following measures:
- Enforcing the Code of Behaviour (Underage), which outlines appropriate conduct and clearly identifies bullying as a breach
- Promoting a club-wide zero-tolerance approach to bullying
- Fostering a culture where it’s safe and encouraged for players to speak up — “It’s okay to tell”
- Ensuring players know they will be supported if they report bullying
- Displaying visible reminders of our Anti-Bullying Policy, such as posters and statements, at relevant club locations
What to Do If Bullying Is Suspected
If you believe bullying is taking place within Swinford GAA, it should be reported to the Club Children’s Officer. The following process will be followed:
- Information will be gathered with sensitivity and confidentiality
- An initial assessment will be carried out
- The situation will be reviewed in line with the Code of Behaviour (Underage)
- The Children’s Officer will inform all relevant parties of the next steps
- If bullying is confirmed, it will be addressed using procedures set out in Section 4 of the Code of Behaviour, which deals with breaches of conduct