The problem with your way is that it doesn't nothing for the kid in the immediate moment. They don't need a restraining order served a week later, they need a parent to defend them then. |
| Criticizing a play is nowhere close to a threat. if you tell me to shut up or else thats a threat. Restraining orders will only deter not prevent. |
Since you asked that question, you probably know the answer. Don’t get so worked up about it. I’d try the “sensible” approach first. Can’t petition for an order if no attempt has been made to tell the person to stop. Has to be harassing - meaning repetitive conduct. DC is full of lawyers, I’m 100% sure there are a peace orders related to youth soccer that have been filed. |
And I'm sure each and every is met with a huge internal eye roll. |
I am PP you responded to. I appreciate that you might not be in a position to and I appreciate that you would complain. Complaints alert the league managers to the behavior, an added benefit. But I still appreciate the immediate results of the aggressive approach, when done right. Sometimes kids need protection in the moment. I hate how our culture often doesn't afford that. It's like when adults scream at, or are unjustifiably rude to teen lifeguards at a pool. I can't help but wonder how that treatment must be shaping those teens. Some situations are best nipped in the bud. |
Statements made to kids with the intent to harass or annoy is harassment. Doesn’t have to be a direct threat. Just need to be repetitive. And you can tell someone to stop without threatening them. |
Pretty much this. What a colossal waste of time using the courts when a simple STFU would do in most cases. |
How is STFU a threat? |
I hear ya on this. I guess what has been lost in this thread is that the option of a protective/peace order is a last resort for egregious behavior. I’m sure there are other avenues where complaints can be filed and solutions figured out. I would never advise anyone to file a petition for a protective order (no matter how easy it is) without exhausting other complaint mechanisms. |
I think if you enter them legally in a public league as a team athlete they are subject to Cheers and applause as well as Boos and criticism. If no threat is made it would be very hard to get an arrest or court oder . In fact the legal folks might suggest you remove your kid from the public park. If said Jerk Parent follows you game after game to various locations a stalking charge may be easier to get. I know its a jerk move to boo a child but unfortunately not illeagal. To make it worse if you confront the jerk parent you can be charged with harassment or worse. |
They're kids. And the harassing parent's conduct is inconsistent with every soccer club's expected behavior/conduct. There is no expectation, when you put your kids in travel soccer, that they will be subjected to harassing comments from parents. Just because it happens doesn't mean that it's the acceptable norm or that you couldn't get an order against it. |
Club and League policies are not law. |
They're not but they set the standard in this context for acceptable behavior. Harassing behavior is conduct inconsistent with acceptable behavior with the intent to annoy, harass, etc. I know you're fixated with "threat" but no direct threat is necessary to establish harassment. I mean it wouldn't he hard for a kid to say that they feel threatened when parent's yell at them. There's the threat if you need it. |
OMG, it isn't a threat, the dad is nothing more than a jerk and that is why your way is time consuming, overreaching and stupid. Certainly perhaps appeal to the ref to deal with the issue more directly but if that doesn't work just tell the jerk to STFU already. In most cases it is simply parents getting carried away and nothing more. It isn't necessarily harassing or threatening. It may very well be demoralizing and intimidating but it doesn't deserve anything more beyond the actual game. If it is an opponent you may never see them again. If it is parent on your team you have made the situation worse than telling them to STFU or "knock it off". These statements are directives, not threats. |
You are entitled to your opinion, just as I am entitled to mine that the behavior is trashy on both sides. |