Statement of intent:
The aim of the anti-bullying policy within European Liberals for Reform is to ensure that every member is able to participate in a supportive, caring and safe environment without fear of being bullied. Bullying is an anti-social behaviour and is unacceptable.
We, European Liberals for Reform, are committed to give everyone a voice to be heard, to state his/her opinion freely in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere without being bullied. If bullying does occur, all European Liberals for Reform members should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. The person to contact shall you feel infringed is: Ben Burgers (b.burgers@elfr.eu)
If the bully does not show any understanding or is repeatedly reported to be a bully, he/she will be excluded from European Liberals for Reform immediately.
Why do we need an Anti-Bullying Policy?
Especially in politics, people can be very rude, when it is about getting their way or seeing an advantage for oneself. The effects of bullying can severely impact a person’s mental health and well-being. Therefore, this policy promotes practices to reinforce our vision and to remove or discourage behaviours that negate our vision.
What is bullying?
Bullying occurs when an individual or a group uses strength or power to hurt, either physically or emotionally, by intimidating or demeaning others. Bullying can be emotional, physical, racist, homophobic, biphobic, transphobic, verbal or cyber. It is usually persistent and is often covert, and is a conscious attempt to hurt, threaten or frighten someone. Individuals who are being bullied, may show changes in behaviour, such as becoming shy and nervous.
Bullying can take many forms, but we are mainly concerned, at the moment, with cyber bullying.
Due to the increased use of social media, we are aware that there is an increased risk of cyber bullying using e-mails, instant messenger, social networking, and public websites. Cyber-bullying involves the use of technology to hurt an individual – for instance text messaging or posting messages/images on the internet or any form of social media.
Cyber bullying can involve many other forms of bullying, such as:
· Racist bullying
occurs when bullying is motivated by racial, ethnic or cultural prejudice.
· Sexual bullying
is where someone makes unwanted physical contact or makes sexually abusive comments.
· Homophobic and biphobic bullying
occurs when bullying is motivated by a prejudice against lesbian, gay or bisexual people.
· Transphobic bullying
bullying occurs when bullying is motivated by a prejudice against people who identify as trans
· Disablist bullying
occurs when bullying is motivated by a prejudice against people with any form of disability.
· Sexist bullying
occurs when bullying is motivated by a prejudice against someone because of their gender
We European Liberals for Reform do not accept any kind of bullying within our organization and will take steps to stamp it out when it occurs.
European Liberals for Reform Bureau on 11.12.2021
Ben Burgers, President
Theresa Zettl, Vice President
Piotr Azia, Vice President
Gregory Rump, Secretary general
