Anti-Bullying Policy

It is the policy of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) that there shall be no bullying of any participant involved in any of its member programs by any other participant.

FCA believes all athletes have a right to a safe and healthy school environment. FCA has an obligation to promote mutual respect, tolerance and acceptance.

Definitions

Bullying is any severe or pervasive (repeated over time) physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically (i.e., cyberbullying), directed toward a student or students that has or can be reasonably predicted to have one or more of the following effects:

1. Placing the athlete in a reasonable fear of harm to the athlete’s person or property.
2. Causing a substantially detrimental effect on the athlete’s physical or mental health.
3. Substantially interfering with the athlete’s academic performance.
4. Substantially interfering with the athlete’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or privileges provided by FCA.

Cyberbullying is bullying using technology or any electronic communication, including without limitation any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part. This includes communication by a wire, radio, electromagnetic system, photo-electronic system or photo-optical system, including without limitation e-mail, internet communications, instant messages or facsimile communications. Cyberbullying includes the creation of a webpage or weblog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person, or the knowing impersonation of another person, as the author of posted content or messages if the creation or impersonation creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying in this Section. Cyberbullying also includes the electronic distribution of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons if the distribution or posting creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying in this Section.

Investigation

When a report is received, FCA personnel will collaborate with parents and athletes to agree upon a course of action and work as quickly as possible to ensure the safety of athletes, gather information and clarify facts. FCA personnel will make all reasonable efforts to complete the investigation within 10 business days after the date of the report and take into consideration additional relevant information received during the investigation about the reported incident of bullying. Interventions may be provided, as needed, to the parties involved in the bullying, including but not limited to social worker services, restorative measures, counseling and others.

Consequences

If an athlete is determined to have engaged in bullying behavior, the athlete will be subject to disciplinary actions appropriate to the offense, the athlete’s age and past behavior, and the circumstances surrounding the events. Disciplinary actions may include a series of graduated consequences and, in severe cases, suspension. Disciplinary actions will be thoughtfully taken to promote athlete safety and wellbeing, see changed and improved behavior, and uphold the Mission, Philosophy and Core Values of FCA.

FCA will not tolerate behavior that infringes on the safety of any athlete. An athlete shall not intimidate, harass or bully another athlete through words or actions. Such bullying behavior includes direct physical contact (e.g. hitting or shoving); verbal assaults (e.g. teasing or name calling); social isolation or manipulation.

FCA expects students and/or staff to immediately report incidents of bullying to the FCA Player’s Health Protect site. Staff who witness such acts need to take immediate steps to intervene when safe to do so. Each bullying complaint will be promptly investigated. This policy applies to athletes when they are attending camp, traveling to and from games, or participating in an FCA-sponsored Huddle.

To ensure bullying does not occur, FCA will provide staff development training in bullying prevention and cultivate acceptance and understanding of all athletes and staff to build each club’s capacity to maintain a safe and healthy environment.

Staff should discuss this policy with their athletes in age-appropriate ways and assure them that they need not endure any form of bullying. Athletes who bully are in violation of this policy and subject to disciplinary action to and including suspension.

The FCA Code of Conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Any athlete who engages in bullying may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension.
• Athletes are expected to immediately report incidents of bullying to the FCA Player’s Health Protect site.
• Athletes can rely on staff to promptly investigate each complaint of bullying in a thorough and confidential manner.
• If the complainant athlete or the parent of the athlete feels that appropriate resolution of the investigation or complaint has not been reached, the athlete or the parent of the athlete should contact Ken Williams, Senior Executive Advisor of FCA. FCA prohibits retaliatory behavior against any complainant or any participant in the complaint process.

The procedures for intervening in bullying behavior include, but are not limited, to the following:

• All staff, athletes and their parents will receive a summary of this policy prohibiting intimidation and bullying at the beginning of the sports season as part of the FCA League Management system’s notification to parents.
• FCA will make reasonable efforts to keep a report of bullying and the results of investigation confidential.
• Staff who witness acts of bullying shall take immediate steps to intervene when safe to do so. People witnessing or experiencing bullying are strongly encouraged to report the incident; such reporting will not reflect on the target or witnesses in any way.