Anti-Harassment & Bullying Policy

1.1 The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all the GUE LBG members and Fencers are treated with dignity and respect and free from harassment or other forms of bullying whilst at the clubs or coaching.

1.2 Breach of this policy will be dealt with under the GUE LBG disciplinary procedure

This policy covers every individual irrespective of their status.

3.1 Harassment is any unwanted physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct which has the purpose or effect of violating the recipient's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them. Physical conduct ranges from touching, pinching, pushing or brushing past someone to grabbing, shoving, punching and other forms of physical assault. In addition to the manner in which people speak to and about one another, written material and pictures (including that disseminated by interactive and digital technologies) can be used to harass. This includes emails, text messages, film clips and photographs taken using cameras in mobile phones as well as content uploaded onto websites.

3.2 Harassment commonly, but not exclusively, targets the sex, sexual orientation, marital status, gender reassignment, race, religion, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, HIV positive/AIDS status or age of the victim.

3.3 A single incident of unwanted or offensive behaviour to one individual can amount to harassment.

3.4 Non exhaustive examples of harassment include:

3.4.1. unnecessary or unwanted physical contact, which the offender might perceive to be "horseplay", and which can include the invasion of personal space, touching or brushing against another persons body as well as assault or coercing sexual relations;

3.4.2. unwelcome sexual behaviour, which might be perceived by the offender to be harmless flirting, and which may involve suggestions, advances, propositions or pressure for sexual activity;

3.4.3. suggestions that sexual favours may further a fencers career or that refusal of sexual favours may hinder it;

3.4.4. continued suggestions for social activity within or outside the fencing club after it has been made clear that such suggestions are unwelcome;

3.4.5. inappropriate behaviour whether in the form of offensive or intimidating comments or gestures or insensitive jokes or pranks;

3.4.6. the display or circulation of offensive pictures, objects or written materials which, for example, may be considered pornographic or offensive to particular ethnic or religious groups;

3.4.7. unwanted conduct or conduct that has the purpose or effect of violating an individual's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment on the grounds of their sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, religion or age including abuse or insults about cultures, customs, appearance or dress;

3.4.8. ignoring or shunning a fencer, for example, by deliberately excluding them from a conversation or a social activity.

3.5 Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour which, through the abuse or misuse of power, makes the recipient feel vulnerable, upset, humiliated and threatened. Power includes both personal strength and the power to coerce others through fear or intimidation. Bullying is often a form of harassment and can undermine an individual's self-confidence, competence and self-esteem. As with harassment, bullying can take the form of physical, verbal and non-verbal conduct. Physical conduct includes perceived horseplay, touching, pinching, pushing as well as grabbing, shoving, punching and other forms of physical assault. In addition to the manner in which fencers speak to and about one another, written material and pictures (including that disseminated by interactive and digital technologies) can be used to bully. These include emails, text messages, film clips and photographs taken using cameras in mobile phones as well as content uploaded onto websites.

3.6 Bullying does not include legitimate and constructive criticism of a fencer's performance or behaviour.

3.7 Non exhaustive examples of bullying include:

3.7.1. shouting at, being sarcastic towards, ridiculing or demeaning others;

3.7.2. making physical or psychological threats;

3.7.3. overbearing supervision and making inappropriate and/or derogatory remarks about a fencer's performance;

3.7.4. abuse of authority or power by those in positions of seniority;

4.1 If you consider that you are being bullied or harassed and you feel able to, you should initially attempt to resolve the problem informally, explaining clearly to the person responsible that their behaviour is not welcome and that it offends you or makes you uncomfortable. If this is too difficult or embarrassing for you to do on your own, you should seek support of a senior member of your Club Committee. They will provide confidential advice and assistance to fencers who believe they have been bullied or harassed and will offer to assist in the resolution of any problems, whether through informal or formal means.

4.2 If you are in any doubt as to whether an incident or series of incidents which have occurred constitute bullying or harassment, then in the first instance you should approach a Club Committee member confidentially, on an informal basis. They will be able to advise you how your concerns should be dealt with.

4.3 If it is not appropriate or possible to resolve matters informally or, if after informal steps have been taken, the conduct continues, you should follow the formal procedure set out below.

5.1 The informal procedure may not be appropriate due to the nature of the harassment or bullying or because you do not feel able to talk directly to the person creating the problem. In these cases or where the informal procedure has been unsuccessful, you should raise your complaint in writing with your Club Committee. See paragraph 5.3 for details of the information required to be included in your written complaint. If you consider it inappropriate to raise the matter with the person specified above, you should refer it to the GUE LBG.

5.2 As a general principle, the decision to progress a complaint rests with you. However, the GUE LBG has a duty to protect all its fencers and may be obliged to pursue a complaint independently if, in all the circumstances, it is considered appropriate to do so.

5.3 If you wish to make a formal complaint, you should set out full details of the unwanted conduct in writing (as above). These details should include the name of the harasser or bully, the nature of the harassment or bullying, the date(s) and time(s) when the harassment or bullying occurred, the names of any witnesses and any action taken so far to attempt to stop the harassment or bullying.

6.1 Complaints will be managed in a timely and confidential manner via an independent investigation to establish full details of what happened. Your name and the name of the alleged harasser or bully will not be divulged other than on a "need to know" basis to those individuals involved in the investigation. At the outset, a member of your Club Committee with suitable experience and with no prior involvement in the complaint will be appointed and a timetable will be set down and communicated to all parties. The investigation will be thorough, impartial and objective, and will be carried out with sensitivity and with due respect for the rights of all parties concerned.

6.2 As part of the investigation, the relevant Club Committee member will meet with you to hear your account of the events leading to your complaint. You have the right to be accompanied by a friend. The committee member will also meet with the alleged harasser or bully who may also be accompanied by a friend. It may also be necessary to interview witnesses to any of the incidents mentioned in your complaint. Where it is necessary to interview witnesses, the importance of confidentiality will be emphasised to them.

6.3 At the conclusion of the investigation, the Club Committee member will usually report their finding back to you within two weeks of your complaint first being reported. A copy of the findings will be provided to you and to the alleged harasser.

7.1 Confidentiality is an important part of the procedures provided under this policy. Every fencer involved in the operation of the policy, whether making a complaint or involved in any investigation, is responsible for observing the high level of confidentiality that is required.

7.2 Breach of confidentiality may give rise to disciplinary action under the GUE LBG’s disciplinary procedure.