Project Updates

HOMOPHOBIC BULLYING IN COUNTY SCHOOLS

SHOCKING EXTENT OF HOMOPHOBIC BULLYING

A total of 64 per cent of students and 75 per cent of teachers in Northamptonshire schools have witnessed homophobic bullying a new survey commissioned by Northamptonshire County Council in association with NLGBA has shown.

The survey, thought to be the biggest of it kind in Europe, was carried out at three schools in the county and the results are now being used to launch a project to tackle the identified issues.

The figures show that while 65 per cent of the 877 pupils taking part in the survey thought such bullying should be stopped only 13 per cent knew of any policies to do so while more than 25 per cent said they themselves had been the victim of such bullying.

Work has now started to introduce new policies and procedures at schools across the county so there is clarity on how such behaviour should be treated and support is given to those bullied.

Cabinet member for schools Olwen Loud said: “Any kind of bullying is simply unacceptable in schools and this survey has highlighted an alarming trend with a problem which may previously have been going on undetected.

“Now we know the extent of the problem it is vital we work together with schools to develop ways in tackling this behaviour and culture while making sure support is on hand for any pupils who are bullied in this way.

”This survey clearly shows that not only are the vast majority of students aware and have witnessed this type of bullying hardly any know of what can be done about it and what if any support is in place. This is wrong and something which needs tackling and need tackling now.

“We owe a great deal to all the schools who volunteered to take part in this survey as without them we would not be in the position we are in in taking this work forward.”

The research was carried with a sample of three schools where 877 year nine and year 10 students filled in surveys. A small focus group was also held at each school. Sixty nine teachers also took part.”

The volunteering schools became involved because of their good practice in this area.

The key results were:

• 64% of students had seen other students being homophobically bullied
• 65% though such behaviour was stupid and should be stopped
• 13% know of the existence of policies and rules related to homophobic bullying
• 25% of students had been homophobically bullied and of these 20 per cent had been bullied more than 30 times in the last six months
• Only 20% of students who had been bullied reported it to a teacher or headteacher.
• 75% of teachers had witnessed homophobic bullying

As well as these figures the survey also recorded incidents of extreme homophobic language accompanied by violence while a small number of respondents demonstrated extreme homophobia in their responses.

A small number of students reported being subjected to repeated and intense bullying.

With the results now showing the extent of the problem a number of recommendations are being made for Northamptonshire these include:

• Developing strategies to challenge widespread use of homophobic language and bullying in schools
• Continued development of strategies and policies to challenge homophobic bullying
• Creation of tool-kit of resources and training opportunities including case studies and scenarios to help teachers challenge this type of behaviour
• Specific work with governors and parents to raise awareness of the problem
• Curriculum development to explore issues surrounding homophobia, sexuality and bullying
• County-wide audits of school policies and procedures

To view the complete research document and for further background information please visit the Articles section.

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