Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy
Nitro Swimming
Effective: September 1, 2021 THIS POLICY APPLIES TO: In-Program Contact: Any contact (including communications, interactions or activities) between an Adult Participant and any Minor Athlete(s) related to participation in sport. Examples include, but are not limited to: competition, practices, camps/clinics, training/instructional sessions, pre/post event meals or outings, team travel, video review, team- or sport-related team building activities, celebrations, award ceremonies, banquets, team- or sport-related fundraising or community services, sport education, competition site visits, conventions and/or summits. Adult Participants: Any adult 18 years of age or older who is a: - USA Swimming member, either athlete or non-athlete;
- Participating non-member (e.g., meet marshals, meet computer operators, timers, etc.);
- Authorized, approved or appointed by USA Swimming, Zones, Local Swimming Committees (“LSCs”) or member clubs to have regular contact with (e.g., ongoing interactions during a 12- month period wherein the individual is in a role of active engagement) or authority over Minor Athletes; and/or
- Within the governance or disciplinary jurisdiction of USA Swimming, Zones, LSCs or member clubs.
GENERAL REQUIREMENT USA Swimming Zones, LSCs and member clubs are required to implement this Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy in full. The Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy must be reviewed and agreed to in writing by all athletes, parents/legal guardians, coaches and other non-athlete members of member clubs on an annual basis with such written agreement to be retained by the club or LSC, as applicable. DEFINITIONS Athlete: A USA Swimming athlete member. Authority: When one person’s position over another person is such that, based on the totality of the circumstances, they have the power or right to direct, control, give orders to, or make decisions for that person (e.g., when a power imbalance exists). Dual Relationship: When an Adult Participant has a relationship with a Minor Athlete that is outside of the sport program. Examples of Dual Relationships include, but are not limited to, family members, mental health professionals, teachers, medical professionals and family friends. Emergency Circumstances: A serious, unexpected and possibly dangerous situation that requires quick action and cannot be avoided. Emergency circumstances include, but are not limited to: a physical, mental or emotional medical emergency involving the Minor Athlete, relative of the Minor Athlete or relative of an Adult Participant; a Minor Athlete’s suicidal ideations/behavior; a report of abuse; a severe weather event; and last-minute practice changes. Electronic Communication: Includes, but not limited to, phone calls, emails, videoconferencing, video coaching, text-messaging and social media. Event or Facility Under Partial or Full Jurisdiction: Includes any USA Swimming sanctioned event (including all travel and lodging in connection with participation in the event) or any facility that USA Swimming, Zones, LSCs or member clubs owns, leases or rents for practice, training or competition. In-Program: Activities related to participation in sport. Examples include, but are not limited to: competition, practices, meetings, camps/clinics, training/instructional sessions, pre/post event meals or outings, team travel, video review, team- or sport-related team building activities, celebrations, award ceremonies, banquets, team- or sport-related fundraising or community services, sport education, competition site visits, conventions, conferences, summits and/or workshops. In-Program Contact: Any contact (including communications, interactions or activities) between an Adult Participant and any Minor Athlete(s) related to participation in sport. Examples include, but are not limited to contact occurring at or related to: competition, practices, meetings, camps/clinics, training/instructional sessions, pre/post event meals or outings, team travel, video review, team- or sport-related team building activities, celebrations, award ceremonies, banquets, team- or sport-related fundraising or community services, sport education, competition site visits, conventions, conferences, summits and/or workshops. In-Program Massage: Any Massage involving an Adult Participant and any Minor Athlete(s) related to participation in sport. Examples include but are not limited to Massage occurring at or related to: competition, practices, meetings, camps/clinics, training/instructional sessions, pre/post event meals or outings, team travel, video review, team- or sport-related team building activities, celebrations, award ceremonies, banquets, team- or sport-related fundraising or community services, sport education, competition site visits, conventions, conferences, summits and/or workshops. In-Program Travel: Any transportation or travel involving an Adult Participant and any Minor Athlete(s) related to participation in sport authorized or funded by the Organization. Examples include but are not limited to transportation or travel to or related to: competition, practices, meetings, camps/clinics, training/instructional sessions, pre/post event meals or outings, team travel, video review, team- or sport- related team building activities, celebrations, award ceremonies, banquets, team- or sport-related fundraising or community services, sport education, competition site visits, conventions, conferences, summits and/or workshops. Massage: Any massage, rubdown, athletic training modality including physical modalities (e.g., stretching, physical manipulation, injury rehabilitation, etc.) and electronic or instrument assisted modalities (e.g., stim treatment, dry needling, cupping, etc.). Minor Athlete: An athlete under 18 years of age who is a USA Swimming member or was a USA Swimming member within the previous 12 months. Organization: Nitro Swimming EXCEPTIONS
[Note: Exceptions apply only where specified] Close-In-Age Exception: In-Program Contact between an Adult Participant and a Minor Athlete is permitted if: a. The Adult Participant has no authority over the Minor Athlete; and
b. The Adult Participant is not more than four years older than the Minor Athlete. Dual Relationship Exception: An Adult Participant has a dual role or relationship with a Minor Athlete. This exception requires written consent of the Minor Athlete’s parent/legal guardian at least annually. ONE-ON-ONE INTERACTIONS I. Observable and Interruptible All one-on-one In-Program Contact interactions between a Minor Athlete and an Adult Participant must occur at an observable and interruptible distance from another adult, except: a. In emergency circumstances;
b. When a Dual Relationship exists; and/or
c. When the Close-In-Age Exception applies. MEETINGS AND INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SESSIONS I. Meetings a. Meetings between a Minor Athlete and an Adult Participant may only occur if another adult is present and where interactions can be easily observed and at an interruptible distance from another adult.
b. If a one-on-one meeting takes place, the door to the room must remain unlocked and open. If available, it must occur in a room that has windows, with the windows, blinds, and/or curtains remaining open during the meeting.
c. Meetings must not be conducted in an Adult Participant or Athlete’s hotel room or other overnight lodging location during In-Program Travel. II. Meetings with Licensed Mental Health Care Professionals and/or Health Care Providers If a licensed mental health care professional and/or health care provider meets one-on-one with a Minor Athlete at an Event or Facility Under Partial or Full Jurisdiction of the Organization in conjunction with participation, the meeting must be observable and interruptible by another adult, except if: a. The door remains unlocked;
b. Another adult is present at the facility;
c. The other adult is advised that a closed-door meeting is occurring although the Minor Athlete’s identity does not need to be disclosed;
d. The Organization is notified that the licensed mental health care professional and or health care provider will be meeting with a Minor Athlete; and
e. The licensed mental health care professional and/or health care provider obtains consent consistent with applicable laws and ethical standards, which can be withdrawn at any time. III. Individual Training Sessions a. In-Program one-on-one individual training sessions outside of the regular course of training and practice between Adult Participants and Minor Athletes must be observable and interruptible by another adult, except: i. When a Dual Relationship exists; and/or
ii. When the Close-In-Age Exception applies. b. The Adult Participant providing the individual training session must receive advance, written consent from the Minor Athlete’s parent/legal guardian at least annually, with a copy provided to Nitro Swimming, which can be withdrawn at any time.
c. Parents/legal guardians must be allowed to observe the individual training session. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS I. Content All Electronic Communication from Adult Participants to Minor Athletes must be professional in nature. II. Open and Transparent a. If an Adult Participant communicates one-on-one with a Minor Athlete via Electronic Communications, the Minor Athlete’s parent/legal guardian must be copied or included. If a Minor Athlete communicates to the Adult Participant privately first, said Adult Participant must copy or include the Minor Athlete’s parent/legal guardian on any Electronic Communication response to the Minor Athlete. Adult Participants must only use Electronic Communication platforms that allow for Open and Transparent communication.
b. The following exceptions apply to Section II(a): i. In emergency circumstances;
ii. When a Dual Relationship exists; and/or
iii. When the Close-In-Age Exception applies. c. When an Adult Participant communicates electronically to the entire team or any number of Minor Athletes on the team, said Adult Participant must copy another Adult Participant. III. Requests to Discontinue Parents/legal guardians may request in writing that their Minor Athlete not be contacted through any form of electronic communication by the Organization or by an Adult Participant subject to this Policy. The Organization must abide by any such request that the Minor Athlete not be contacted via electronic communication, or included in any social media post, absent emergency circumstances. IV. Hours Electronic communications must only be sent between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. local time for the location of the Minor Athlete, unless emergency circumstances exist, or during competition travel. V. Prohibited Electronic Communication a. Adult Participants are not permitted to maintain private social media connections with Minor Athletes and such Adult Participants are not permitted to accept new personal page requests on social media platforms from Minor Athletes, unless the Adult Participant has a fan page, or the contact is deemed as celebrity contact as opposed to regular contact. Existing social media connections with Minor Athletes must be discontinued. Minor Athletes may “friend”, “like” or “follow” the Organization’s official page.
b. Adult Participants must not send private, instant or direct messages to a Minor Athlete through social media platforms.
c. The following exceptions apply to Section V: i. When a Dual Relationship exists; and/or
ii. When the Close-In-Age Exception applies. IN-PROGRAM TRAVEL AND LODGING I. Transportation a. During In-Program Travel, observable and interruptible environments must be maintained.
b. An Adult Participant must not transport a Minor Athlete one-on-one during In-Program Travel and must always transport at least two Minor Athletes or another Adult Participant, except: i. In emergency circumstances;
ii. When a Dual Relationship exists;
iii. When the Close-In-Age Exception applies; and/or
iv. The Minor Athlete’s parent/legal guardian has provided, at least annually, written consent for the Adult Participant to transport the Minor Athlete one-on-one, which can be withdrawn at any time. c. Adult Participants, including team managers and chaperones, who travel with the Organization must be USA Swimming non-athlete members of USA Swimming. Adult Participants who are parents/legal guardians of Minor Athletes must pick up their Minor Athlete first and drop off their Minor Athlete last in any shared or carpool travel arrangement. II. Lodging a. An Adult Participant must not share hotel room, sleeping arrangement or overnight lodging location with an Athlete.
b. During In-Program Travel, all In-Program Contact in a hotel room, sleeping arrangement or overnight lodging location between an Adult Participant and a Minor Athlete must be observable and interruptible.
c. During In-Program Travel, when doing room checks, two-deep leadership (two Adult Participants should be present) and observable and interruptible environments must be maintained.
d. The following exceptions apply to II(a), (b) and (c): i. When a Dual Relationship exists, the Adult Participant is not a coach, and the Minor Athlete’s parent/legal guardian has provided advance, written consent for the lodging arrangement; and/or
ii. When the Close-In-Age Exception applies and the Minor Athlete’s parent/legal guardian has provided advance, written consent for the lodging arrangement. e. Minor Athletes should be paired to share a hotel room, sleeping arrangement or overnight lodging location with other Minor Athletes of the same competition category and of similar age. III. Written Consent A Minor Athlete’s parent/legal guardian must provide written consent, at least annually, for all In- Program Travel and lodging during In-Program Travel, which can be withdrawn at any time. IV. Meetings a. Meetings during In-Program Travel must be conducted consistent with the One-on-One Interactions section of this Policy (e.g., any such meeting must be observable and interruptible).
b. Meetings must not be conducted in an Adult Participant or athlete’s hotel room or other overnight lodging location during In-Program Travel. LOCKER ROOMS AND CHANGING AREAS I. Requirement to Use Locker Room or Changing Area The designated locker room or changing area must be used when an athlete or Adult Participant changes, in whole or in part, into or out of a swimsuit when wearing just one suit (e.g., deck changing is prohibited). II. Observable and Interruptible All In-Program Contact between Adult Participants and Minor Athletes in a locker room, changing area or similar space must be observable and interruptible, except: a. In emergency circumstances;
b. A Dual Relationship exists; and/or
c. The Close-In-Age exception applies. III. Private or Semi-Private Space for Minor Athletes The Organization must provide a private or semi-private place for Minor Athletes that need to change clothes or undress at Events or Facilities Under Partial or Full Jurisdiction of the Organization. IV. Use of Recording Devices Use of any device’s (including a cell phone’s) recording capabilities, including voice recording, still cameras and video cameras in locker rooms, changing areas, or similar spaces by a Minor Athlete or an Adult Participant is prohibited. V. Undress Adult Participants must not change clothes or behave in a manner that intentionally or recklessly exposes his or her breasts, buttocks, groin or genitals to a Minor Athlete under any circumstance. An Adult Participant must not request a Minor Athlete to expose the Minor Athlete’s breasts, buttocks, groin or genitals to the Adult Participant under any circumstance. Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to areas of the body exposed while wearing swimwear which conforms to the current concept of the appropriate for the individual’s competition category. VI. Showers a. Adult Participants must not shower with Minor Athletes unless: i. The Adult Participant meets the Close-in-Age Exception; and/or
ii. The shower is part of a pre- or post-activity rinse while wearing swimwear. b. Parents/legal guardians may request in writing that their Minor Athlete(s) not change or shower with Adult Participants during In-Program Contact. The Organization must abide by such a request. VII. Monitoring The Organization must regularly and randomly monitor the use of locker rooms and changing areas to ensure compliance with this Policy. Locker rooms and changing areas may be monitored by use of the following methods: a. Conducting a sweep of the locker room or changing area before athletes arrive;
b. Posting staff directly outside the locker room or changing area during periods of use;
c. Leaving the doors open when adequate privacy is still possible; and/or
d. Making occasional sweeps of the locker rooms or changing areas with women checking on female locker rooms and men checking on male locker rooms. Every effort must be made to recognize when a Minor Athlete goes to the locker room or changing area during practice and competition, and, if the Minor Athlete does not return in a timely fashion, to check on the Minor Athlete’s whereabouts. VIII. Parents/legal guardians in Locker Rooms or Changing Areas If a parent/legal guardian enters a locker room or changing area, it must only be a parent/legal guardian of the same competition category and the parent/legal guardian should notify a coach or administrator in advance. MASSAGES, RUBDOWNS AND ATHLETIC TRAINING MODALITIES I. General Requirement Any In-Program Massage performed on an athlete must be conducted in an observable and interruptible location and must be performed by a licensed massage therapist or other certified professional. However, even if a coach is a licensed massage therapist, the coach must not perform a rubdown or massage of an athlete under any circumstance. II. Additional Minor Athlete Requirements a. Written consent by a parent/legal guardian must be obtained in advance at least annually by the licensed massage therapist or other certified professional which can be withdrawn at any time.
b. Parent/legal guardians must be allowed to observe the Massage, except for competition or training venues that limit credentialing.
c. Any Massage of a Minor Athlete must be done with at least one other Adult Participant physically present and must never be done with only the Minor Athlete and the person performing the Massage in the room.
d. Any Massage of a Minor Athlete must be performed with the Minor Athlete fully or partially clothed, ensuring that the breasts, buttocks, groin or genitals are always covered. Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to areas of the body exposed while wearing swimwear which conforms to the current concept of the appropriate for the individual’s competition category.
e. Any Massage of a Minor Athlete must only occur after a proper diagnosis from a treating physician and be done in the course of care according to the physician’s treatment plan. Electronic Communication Policy of Nitro Swimming PURPOSE Nitro Swimming (the “Club”) recognizes the prevalence of electronic communication and social media in today’s world. Many of our swimmers use these means as their primary method of communication. While the Club acknowledges the value of these methods of communication, the Club also realizes that there are associated risks that must be considered when adults use these methods to communicate with minors. GENERAL CONTENT All communications between a Nitro employee (e.g., coach, instructor, manager, etc.) and a swimmer must be professional in nature and for the purpose of communicating information about Nitro activities. The content and intent of all electronic communications must adhere to the USA Swimming Code of Conduct regarding Athlete Protection. For example, as with any communication with a swimmer, electronic communication should not contain or relate to any of the following: - drugs or alcohol use;
- sexually oriented conversation; sexually explicit language; sexual activity
- the employee’s personal life, social activities, relationship or family issues, or personal problems; and
- inappropriate or sexually explicit pictures
- Note: Any communication concerning a swimmer's personal life, social activities, relationship or family issues or personal problems must be transparent, accessible and professional.
Whether one is an employee, swimmer, coach, manager or parent, the guiding principle to always use in communication is to ask: “Is this communication something that someone else would find appropriate or acceptable in a face‐to‐face meeting?” or “Is this something you would be comfortable saying out loud to the intended recipient of your communication in front of the intended recipient’s parents, the coaching staff, an owner, or other athletes?” With respect to electronic communications, a simple test that can be used in most cases is whether the electronic communication with swimmers is Transparent, Accessible and Professional. Transparent: All electronic communication between employees and swimmers should be transparent. Your communication should not only be clear and direct, but also free of hidden meanings, innuendo and expectations. Accessible: All electronic communication between employees and swimmers must be considered a matter of record and part of the Club’s records. An employee must always include another employee or the swimmer’s parent in the communication so that there is no question regarding accessibility. Professional: All electronic communication between an employee and a swimmer should be conducted professionally as a representative of the Club. This includes word choices, tone, grammar, and subject matter that model the standards and integrity of a staff member. If your communication meets all three of the T.A.P. criteria, then it is likely your method of communication with swimmers will be appropriate. FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, BLOGS, AND SIMILAR SITES Employees may have personal Facebook (or other social media site) pages, but they are not permitted to have any of the Club’s swimmers join their personal page as a “friend.” An employee should not accept any “friend” request from a swimmer. In addition, the employee should remind the swimmer that this is not permitted. Employees and swimmers are not permitted to “private message” each other through Facebook. Employees and swimmers are not permitted to “instant message” each other through Facebook chat or other IM method. The Club has an official Facebook page that swimmers and their parents can “friend” for information and updates on team‐related matters. Employees are encouraged to set their pages to “private” to prevent swimmers from accessing the employee’s personal information. TWITTER The Club has an official Twitter page that employees, coaches, swimmers and parents can follow for information and updates on team‐related matters. Employees are not permitted to follow swimmers on Twitter. Likewise, swimmers are not permitted to follow employees on Twitter. Employees and swimmers are not permitted to “direct message” each other through Twitter. TEXTING Subject to the general guidelines mentioned above, texting is allowed between employees and swimmers during the hours from 5am until 9pm. Texting shall only be used for the purpose of communicating information directly related to Nitro activities. EMAIL Employees and swimmers may use email to communicate between the hours of 5am and 9pm. When communicating with a swimmer through email, a parent, another employee, a manager, or an owner must also be copied. REQUEST TO DISCONTINUE ALL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS The parents or guardians of a swimmer may request in writing that their child not be contacted by employees through any form of electronic communication. ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS BULLYING Action Plan of Nitro Swimming to Address Bullying PURPOSE Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at Nitro Swimming and will not be tolerated. Bullying is counterproductive to team spirit and can be devastating to a victim. Nitro is committed to providing a safe, caring and friendly environment for all of our members. If bullying does occur, all athletes and parents should know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. Anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell a coach, board member or athlete/mentor. Objectives of the Nitro’s Bullying Policy and Action Plan: - To make it clear that we will not tolerate bullying in any form.
- To define bullying and give all owners, employees, parents and swimmers a good understanding of what bullying is.
- To make it known to all parents, swimmers and coaching staff that there is a policy and protocol should any bullying issues arise.
- To make how to report bullying clear and understandable.
- To spread the word that Nitro takes bullying seriously and that all swimmers and parents can be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
WHAT IS BULLYING? The USA Swimming Code of Conduct prohibits bullying. Generally, bullying is the use of aggression, whether intentional or not, which hurts another person. Bullying results in pain and distress. The USA Swimming Code of Conduct defines bullying in 304.3.7. Bullying is the severe or repeated use by one or more USA Swimming members of oral, written, electronic or other technological expression, image, sound, data or intelligence of any nature (regardless of the method of transmission), or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at any other member that to a reasonably objective person has the effect of: i. causing physical or emotional harm to the other member or damage to the other member’s property;
ii. placing the other member in reasonable fear of harm to himself/herself or of damage to his/her property;
iii. creating a hostile environment for the other member at any USA Swimming activity;
iv. infringing on the rights of the other member at any USA Swimming activity; or
v. materially and substantially disrupting the training process or the orderly operation of any USA Swimming activity (which for the purposes of this section shall include, without limitation, practices, workouts and other events of a member club or LSC). REPORTING PROCEDURE An athlete who feels that he or she has been bullied is asked to do one or more of the following things: - Talk to your parents;
- Talk to a Coach, Administrator, Owner, or other designated individual;
- Write a letter or email to any of the individuals named above;
- Make a report to the USA Swimming Safe Sport staff.
There is no express time limit for initiating a complaint under this procedure, but every effort should be made to bring the complaint to the attention of the appropriate club leadership as soon as possible to make sure that memories are fresh and behavior can be accurately recalled and the bullying behavior can be stopped as soon as possible. HOW WE HANDLE BULLYING If bullying is occurring during team-related activities, we STOP BULLYING ON THE SPOT using the following steps: - Intervene immediately. It is ok to get another adult to help.
- Separate the kids involved.
- Make sure everyone is safe.
- Meet any immediate medical or mental health needs.
- Stay calm. Reassure the kids involved, including bystanders.
- Model respectful behavior when you intervene.
If bullying is occurring at Nitro or it is reported to be occurring at our club, we address the bullying by FINDING OUT WHAT HAPPENED and SUPPORTING THE KIDS INVOLVED using the following approach: FINDING OUT WHAT HAPPENED 1. First, we get the facts. a. Keep all the involved children separate.
b. Get the story from several sources, both adults and kids.
c. Listen without blaming.
d. Don’t call the act “bullying” while you are trying to understand what happened.
e. It may be difficult to get the whole story, especially if multiple athletes are involved or the bullying involves social bullying or cyber bullying. Collect all available information. 2.Then, we determine if it's bullying. There are many behaviors that look like bullying but require different approaches. It is important to determine whether the situation is bullying or something else. a. Review the USA Swimming definition of bullying;
b. To determine if the behavior is bullying or something else, consider the following questions: - What is the history between the kids involved?
- Have there been past conflicts?
- Is there a power imbalance? Remember that a power imbalance is not limited to physical strength. It is sometimes not easily recognized. If the targeted child feels like there is a power imbalance, there probably is.
- Has this happened before? Is the child worried it will happen again?
c. Remember that it may not matter “who started it.” Some kids who are bullied may be seen as annoying or provoking, but this does not excuse the bullying behavior.
d. Once you have determined if the situation is bullying, support all of the kids involved. SUPPORTING THE KIDS INVOLVED 3. Support the kids who are being bullied a. Listen and focus on the child. Learn what’s been going on and show you want to help. Assure the child that bullying is not their fault.
b. Work together to resolve the situation and protect the bullied child. The child, parents, and fellow team members and coaches may all have valuable input. It may help to: i. Ask the child being bullied what can be done to make him or her feel safe. Remember that changes to routine should be minimized. He or she is not at fault and should not be singled out. For example, consider rearranging lane assignments for everyone. If bigger moves are necessary, such as switching practice groups, the child who is bullied should not be forced to change.
ii. Develop a game plan. Maintain open communication between the Club and parents. Discuss the steps that will be taken and how bullying will be addressed going forward. c. Be persistent. Bullying may not end overnight. Commit to making it stop and consistently support the bullied child. 4. Address bullying behavior a. Make sure the child knows what the problem behavior is. Young people who bully must learn their behavior is wrong and harms others.
b. Show kids that bullying is taken seriously. Calmly tell the child that bullying will not be tolerated. Model respectful behavior when addressing the problem.
c. Work with the child to understand some of the reasons he or she bullied. For example: i. Sometimes children bully to fit in or just to make fun of someone is a little different from them. In other words, there may be some insecurity involved.
ii. Other times kids act out because something else—issues at home, abuse, stress—is going on in their lives. They also may have been bullied. These kids may be in need of additional support. d. Involve the kid who bullied in making amends or repairing the situation. The goal is to help them see how their actions affect others. For example, the child can: i. Write a letter apologizing to the athlete who was bullied.
ii. Do a good deed for the person who was bullied, for the team, or for others in your community.
iii. Clean up, repair, or pay for any property they damaged. e. Avoid strategies that don’t work or have negative consequences: i. Zero tolerance or “three strikes, you’re out” strategies don’t work. Suspending or removing from the team swimmers who bully does not reduce bullying behavior. Swimmers may be less likely to report and address bullying if suspension or getting kicked off the team is the consequence.
ii. Conflict resolution and peer mediation don’t work for bullying. Bullying is not a conflict between people of equal power who share equal blame. Facing those who have bullied may further upset kids who have been bullied. f. Follow-up. After the bullying issue is resolved, continue finding ways to help the child who bullied to understand how what they do affects other people. For example, praise acts of kindness or talk about what it means to be a good teammate. 5. Support bystanders who witness bullying. Every day, kids witness bullying. They want to help, but don’t know how. Fortunately, there are a few simple, safe ways that athletes can help stop bullying when they see it happening. a. Be a friend to the person being bullied;
b. Tell a trusted adult – your parent, coach, team administrator or owner;
c. Help the kid being bullied get away from the situation. Create a distraction, focus the attention on something else, or offer a way for the target to get out of the situation. “Let’s go, practice is about to start.”
d. Set a good example by not bullying others.
e. Don’t give the bully an audience. Bullies are encouraged by the attention they get from bystanders. If you do nothing else, just walk away. Source: www.stopbullying.gov – a federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services PHOTOGRAPHY POLICIES PURPOSE There has been much talk about whether it is safe to have images taken of children participating in sports. While the great majority of images are appropriate and are taken in good faith, it is a fact that images can be misused, and children can be put at risk if common- sense procedures are not observed. SUGGESTED POLICIES 1. The publishing of a photograph of swimmer under 18 either on a notice board or in a published article or video recording (including video streaming) of swimming competitions (“publication”) is agreed to as part of team registration with Nitro Swimming. 2. A parent or guardian has a right of refuse to have children photographed. The exercise of this right of refusal cannot be used as grounds for refusing entry into a swimming competition. This refusal must be recorded in writing with Nitro Swimming team administration. In the case of open meets and other competitions where the host club has an official photographer present, the meet information will indicate as such. If photos are to be published anywhere, the individual parent should be given the opportunity to withhold their consent. Their right to do so should be specifically drawn to their attention. All photographs must observe generally accepted standards of decency in particular: - Action shots should be a celebration of the sporting activity and not a sexualized image in a sporting context.
- Action shots should not be taken or retained where the photograph reveals a torn or displaced swimsuit.
- Photographs should not be taken from behind swimming blocks at the start of a race or exhibit a child climbing out of the swimming pool.
- Photographs should not be taken in locker-rooms or bathrooms.
Today's date: April 18, 2024 | 