150,000 gay pupils 'targeted by homophobic bullies'

More than 150,000 pupils have been targeted by school bullies because they are gay, research suggested today.

Two-thirds of lesbian and gay pupils have experienced homophobic bullying, ranging from verbal abuse to violence and even death threats, the survey by equality organisation Stonewall found.

About half of teachers did not intervene when children used homophobic language like "dyke", "queer" or "rug muncher", the study said.

And some pupils even claimed their teachers joined in with the abuse.

Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive, said the figures suggested about 156,000 pupils had suffered homophobic bullying in Britain's schools.

"These deeply disturbing figures should serve as a wake-up call to everyone working in education," he said.

"This is a damning legacy of Section 28, which deterred schools from tackling anti-gay bullying for so long.

"This remains one of the few sorts of bullying about which too many schools still take no action.

"It blights the lives not just of gay children but of thousands of pupils perceived to be lesbian or gay too."

Section 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act banned the "promotion" of homosexuality, leading many schools to believe they could not tackle anti-gay bullying.

Section 28 was repealed in 2003 but the Stonewall report suggested most gay pupils were still being bullied.

Nearly all the 1,100 gay, lesbian and bisexual pupils surveyed said they heard derogatory phrases in school, such as "poof", or "that's so gay", the report said.

But homophobic bullying can be far more extreme.

The study said 41% of gay and lesbian pupils had experienced physical abuse, 17% had received death threats and 12% had been sexually assaulted.

The Stonewall report said three-quarters of gay pupils in faith schools were bullied over their sexuality.

And about 70% of victims said homophobic bullying affected their school work.

The study suggested less than a quarter of schools have told their pupils specifically that homophobic bullying is wrong.

This was despite Government guidance that all schools should set out specific policies against homophobic bullying.

But sending a clear message that anti-gay bullying is wrong can dramatically cut levels of such abuse, the study said.

A Department for Education spokesman said: "All forms of bullying are unacceptable.

"We are pleased that Stonewall have highlighted this important issue and we look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.

"It is important that pupils tell someone when they are being bullied and that teachers take firm action.

"That is why we have given new powers to teachers to ensure they can do so.
No pupil should suffer the torment of bullying."

:: The Schools Health Education Unit surveyed 1,145 gay, lesbian and bisexual young people.

Copyright Press Association 2007

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