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GayPASG Note: We are
distributing this article so that you will understand that bullying is an
international problem, not just one we are working on in New Jersey.
John Crowell
Campbell
School tips on
anti-gay bullying
From the Web, January
31, 2008
Teachers in England are being alerted
to guidelines on how they can tackle homophobic bullying.
Pupils might be bullied if they are gay or are thought to be -- or if their
parents are -- and teachers may also be targeted, the guidance says.
Drawn up for ministers by gay rights groups, it was first published last autumn.
Teachers' leaders say bullying related to prejudice is a significant problem,
and they welcome the information.
Schools have a legal duty under the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to ensure
homophobic bullying is dealt with -- along with other types of bullying.
The guidelines on homophobic bullying say victims may miss school and have low
self-esteem, and be at increased risk of self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
Seven out of 10 young lesbian and gay people say homophobic bullying affects
their school work, they say.
Targets
Teachers are given guidance on how to recognise homophobic bullying and examples
of unacceptable language such as "You're such a gay boy!" or "Those trainers are
so gay".
The advice says homophobic bullying can take place in primary schools, even
though pupils might not know the meaning of some of the words they use.
And children whose parents, carers or relatives are gay might be targeted by
bullies.
Schools are told their response to homophobic bullying -- as with other forms --
should be "swift, proportionate, discreet, influential and effective".
They are given a step-by-step guide to tackling verbal abuse, beginning with all
pupils being told that homophobic language will not be tolerated and increasing
to pupils being taken out of the classroom for talks on their attitudes and then
parents being called in.
Confidence
The campaign groups Stonewall and Each drew up the guidelines for the
government.
Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill said: "It is very encouraging
the government has recognised this form of bullying as a serious problem, which
can have such a damaging effect on children.
"When writing this guidance, we ensured it was specifically designed to give
teachers more confidence to confront the problem.
"This is a significant step forward in our campaign to tackle homophobic
bullying."
Schools Secretary Ed Balls said: "Even casual use of homophobic language
in schools can create an atmosphere that isolates young people and can be the
forerunner of more serious forms of bullying".
The general secretary of the NASUWT teachers' union, Chris Keates, said:
"This is a vital initiative which puts homophobia at the heart of schools'
anti-bullying strategies.
“Prejudice related bullying has become an increasingly significant problem in
schools, colleges and the wider society. Schools need a clear plan of
action within a national framework to tackle it."
Many teachers had reported being victims of homophobic bullying, she said.
“The NASUWT has had several cases this year where teachers have reported
suffering homophobic bullying only to be told by senior managers that it is not
in their own or the school's interests to take the matter further."
(news.bbc.co.uk)
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