Key Preconditions for Bullying and Maltreatment to Occur

1. Power Imbalances

• A real or perceived difference in power (e.g., physical strength, social status, authority, popularity, skill level).

• Power can also be situational (e.g., a coach over a player, older youth over younger).

2. A Culture of Silence or Acceptance

• An environment where harmful behavior is normalized, ignored, or excused ("kids will be kids").

• Bystanders are discouraged or afraid to speak up.

• Lack of clear consequences for aggressors.

3. Lack of Psychological Safety

• People feel unsafe expressing concerns or reporting incidents due to fear of retaliation or shame.

• No established channels or trusted adults to confide in.

4. Weak or Absent Policies

• No formal anti-bullying or maltreatment policies, or policies that exist but aren’t enforced.

• Poor complaint processes that fail to protect victims or hold perpetrators accountable.

5. Poor Adult Modeling

• Leaders, coaches, or parents model aggressive, disrespectful, or “win-at-all-costs” behaviors.

• Adults minimize or overlook harmful behaviors (e.g., favoritism, yelling, humiliation).

6. Unchecked Stress and Competition

• High-pressure environments where winning or performance is valued over well-being.

• Unmanaged frustration, anger, or stress in groups, which gets displaced onto weaker members.

• Logical fallacies are the norm instead of strong leadership and polices.

7. Social Hierarchies and Exclusion

• Cliques or dominant groups form and enforce “in-groups” and “out-groups.”

• Isolation of vulnerable individuals who lack allies or social power.

8. Absence of Empathy or Perspective-Taking

• When empathy isn’t cultivated (e.g., not using developmentally appropriate coaching, not promoting psychological safety), bullying becomes easier.

• Lack of emotional literacy or education about bullying, maltreatment and accountability among both youth and adults.

  
  

Don't let bullying and maltreatment thrive. Hold your board and association members to protecting the minors under your care. Protect the hearts behind the helmuts - adopt strong policy and governance, youth voice, leadership, and education for all your members.

We may not be able to stop bullying. But we can tell it to Get the Puck Outta Here!