Transcript Bullying in Schools - LGBT youth north west

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CHALLENGING
HOMOPHOBIC BULLYING
Alison O’Brien
North West Regional
Adviser
[email protected]
07711 214191
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BBC backs Moyles
over 'gay' phrase
The word "gay" now means "lame" or "rubbish"
among young people and need not be offensive to
homosexuals, the BBC Board of Governors has
ruled.
A complaint against Radio 1 presenter Chris Moyles
after he dismissed a ringtone by saying, "I don't
want that one, it's gay", was rejected by a
committee of the Board of Governors.
The word "gay", in addition to being used to mean
"homosexual" or "carefree", was often now used to
mean "lame" or "rubbish", the committee said in a
ruling. This is widespread current usage of the word
among young people, they said.
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What is homophobic bullying?
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Homophobic bullying occurs
when bullying is motivated
by a prejudice against
lesbian, gay or bisexual
people.
Every child in every school
has the right to learn free
from the fear of bullying,
whatever form that
bullying may take.
Safe To Learn: Homophobic Bullying
Who experiences homophobic
bullying?
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Young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT)
Young people who are thought to be LGBT
Young people who are different in some way – they may
not act like other boys or girls
Young people who have gay friends or family, or their
parents / carers are gay
Teachers who may or may not be lesbian, gay or bisexual
Who does the bullying?
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Anyone, especially if they haven't been told that it’s wrong
People who think being gay is “wrong”
People who may be gay themselves and are angry about
that
People who think gay people shouldn’t have the same
rights as heterosexual people
People who think gay parenting is wrong and pupils should
be treated differently because of it
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How to recognise homophobic
bullying
Verbal abuse – inc.
spreading rumours,
suggesting that someone is
inferior e.g. “those trainers
are so gay”.
Physical abuse – inc. hitting,
punching, kicking, sexual
assault, and threatening
behaviour.
Cyberbullying – using on-line
spaces to spread rumours
about someone or exclude
them. This can include text
messaging, video and
picture messaging.
THE IMPACT OF HOMOPHOBIC
BULLYING ON PUPILS
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Poor attendance with studies showing a high degree of
absenteeism
Seven out of ten young lesbian and gay people say
homophobic bullying affects their work
Low self-esteem, increased likelihood of self-harm and the
contemplation of suicide
Unlikely to fulfil the objectives of Every Child Matters or
Youth Matters
Absenteeism and educational
achievement
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72% of young people who experience
homophobic bullying have a history of absenteeism
The majority of these young people leave school
at age 16, regardless of academic qualifications
‘I was asked to leave my school for my own safety. I
never got to sit my GCSEs and would have loved to.’
Emotional health and wellbeing
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A UK survey into the long-term effects of
homophobic bullying found that, of LGB adults
who had been bullied at school:
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53% had contemplated self-harm or
suicide
40% had made at least one attempt to
self-harm
30% had made two or more attempts.
At my previous school we had just come
out of sex education… it was all about
straights. I was close to this one
teacher so I told her that I like girls
instead of boys. She replied, ‘Don’t be
silly of course you don’t like girls, you
will find a nice boy soon – girls don’t
like girls.’
Alice, aged 15
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Why don’t young people often tell an
adult that it is happening to them?
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Hard to identify
because it may be
going on in secret.
Three in five gay
pupils never tell anyone
(either at home or
school) when they are
being bullied.
Can it happen in primary schools?
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3 out of 4 primary age children identify the use
of the word gay as a way of attacking or
making fun of someone
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Yes. Pupils may not know what the words mean, but
can use homophobic language against others as
form of bullying.
Or, they may bully a pupil who has gay
parents/carers or family members.
Why should schools do
anything about it?
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“Schools have a legal duty to ensure homophobic bullying
is dealt with in schools. Under the Education and
Inspections Act 2006, head teachers, with the advice
and guidance of governors and the assistance of school
staff, must identify and implement measures to promote
good behaviour, respect for others and self-discipline
amongst pupils, and to prevent all forms of bullying.
This includes the prevention of homophobic bullying.”
DCSF Safe to Learn: Homophobic Bullying
Executive Summary Sec. 6
RELEVANT LAW + GUIDANCE
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Human Rights Act 1998
The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation)
Regulations 2003
Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003
Education and Inspections Act 2006
The Equality Act 2006
Every Child Matters
Youth Matters
EVERY CHILD MATTERS
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Those pupils who may be experiencing homophobic
bullying will not be able to meet the outcomes Every
Child Matters requires:
• Being healthy: Young people
Being healthy
Staying safe
Enjoying and achieving
Achieving economic well-being
Making a positive contribution
Youth Matters – part of Every Child Matters
LAW AND GUIDANCE
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The School Report 2007
Safe To Learn suite of materials + Bullying – A
Charter for Action
Sex and Relationship Education Guidance
Ofsted Self-Evaluation forms
The Children’s Plan
Healthy Schools Anti-Bullying Guidance for Schools
Transphobic Bullying – Home Office 2008
CREATING AN INCLUSIVE
ENVIRONMENT
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Acknowledge and identify the problem of
bullying
 Develop polices which recognise the existence
of homophobic bullying
 Promote a positive social environment
 Address staff training needs
 Provide information and support for pupils
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CREATE AN INCLUSIVE
ENVIRONMENT
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Include addressing bullying, including homophobic
bullying, in curriculum planning
Feel able to use outside expertise
Encourage role models
Do not make assumptions
Celebrate achievements
How should your school respond to
homophobic bullying?
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Ofsted guidelines: ‘swift, proportionate, discreet,
influential and effective’.
Instil confidence that issues will be dealt with
systematically.
Pupils reluctant to report incidents of homophobic
bullying need to be encouraged
Strategies implemented to safeguard pupils against
physical abuse - same strategies apply when motivated
by homophobic bullying.
Responding to homophobic bullying and
challenging comments
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Important that staff responses are in line with Ofsted guidelines, “swift,
proportionate, discreet, influential and effective”.
Homophobic language
Ensure pupils aware that homophobic language not acceptable, ensure
included in policies and procedures
If pupil makes persistent remarks, they should be removed from the
classroom and made aware in more detail why their comments are
unacceptable
If problem persists, involve senior managers and apply sanctions
Consider inviting parents/carers to school to discuss attitude of the
pupil
Responding to physical bullying in secondary
schools
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Pupils may be reluctant to report physical attacks involving
homophobic bullying because they fear staff will assume they are gay
even if they are not.
Overarching strategies implemented to safeguard pupils might be
appropriate, e.g. working with other agencies, including if necessary
the police.
Homophobic violence can be a crime.
Policies should be rigorously enforced in order to keep pupils safe from
physical abuse.
In particularly severe circumstances the school should consider
permanent exclusion.
PREVENTION
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Prevention should be central focus of school’s work
to tackle homophobic bullying since taking steps to
prevent bullying makes it easier to respond to
incidents when they occur.
Ensure relevant policies exist, check that
homophobic bullying included in AB policy.
Raise awareness of what homophobic bullying is
and how school will respond. Ensure effective
reporting systems are in place.
Prevention continued
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Assess and monitor the extent of homophobic bullying through
anonymous staff and pupil surveys, and methods like bullying boxes.
Evaluate responses received and ensure consistent recording and
reporting.
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Make use of curriculum opportunities in order to instil respect for others.
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Develop effective intervention strategies.
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Provide sensitive support to lesbian and gay pupils to help them feel
safe, and able to tell teachers about incidents.
SAFE TO LEARN
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Homophobic bullying should be addressed in school
by:
- Including it in the school’s anti-bullying policy
- Covering it in INSET days
- Guaranteeing confidentiality
- Challenging homophobic language
- Exploring issues of diversity and difference
- Exploring pupils’ understanding of the use of homophobic
language
Opportunities within the curriculum
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Behaviour and Attendance Strategy
SEAL
Healthy Schools
PSHE
Assemblies
Story times
Tackling homophobic bullying in
schools
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Leadership, management
and managing change
Policy development
Curriculum planning and
resourcing, inc working with
external agencies
Teaching and learning
School culture and
environment
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Giving pupils a voice
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Provision of pupils support services
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Staff professional development
needs, health and welfare
Partnerships with parents, carers
and the community
Assessing, recording and reporting
achievement
Culture and environment
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Staff handbook
School documentation
Recruitment information
Induction programmes
Inclusive policies
Whole staff training + support
Environment
Leadership, Management and
Managing Change
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SDP
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Agendas
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Training
Policy Development
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Equal Opportunities
Anti-bullying policy / statement
Behaviour policy
PSHE inc. SRE
Citizenship
Inclusion policy
Confidentiality policy
Staff handbook
prospectus
Talking about homosexuality
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Not the same as talking about sex!!!
Talk about relationships, families and emotions
Discuss in context of bullying and name-calling
KS1 and 2
Multiple identities
The media
Coming out!
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Timing / age
Offer validation and support
Reassurance
Confidentiality policy
Support services
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Existing good practice......
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What good
practice is there
already?
What else do we
need to put in
place?
SAFE TO LEARN GUIDANCE
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The full Guidance can be found at
www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/behav
iour/tacklingbullying/homophobicbullying
USEFUL WEBSITES
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www.anti-bullyingalliance.org
www.stonewall.org.uk
www.eachaction.org.uk
0808 1000 143
www.healthyschools.gov.uk
www.childline.org.uk
0800 11 11
www.thegyc.com