News
Gender & sexuality based bullying in schools
WA Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson invites you to a morning tea forum on how to manage the increasingly serious issue of Gender & sexuality based bullying in schools.
In 2010 the EOC consulted with a range of stakeholders in relation to concerns about this type of bullying in schools.
This resulted in the establishment of a Working Group and Steering Committee comprising senior representatives of state government education and health agencies, as well as independent and catholic schools and advocacy groups for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) community.
Published author in education policy and researcher in the area of sex health and society at La Trobe University Tiffany Jones came to speak to the Working Group and Steering Committee who attended the breakfast.
WA Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson said Ms Jones' research in the area of homophobic bullying was both compelling and disturbing.
" The research showed that 61 per cent of young people reported verbal abuse because of homophobia, 18 per cent report physical violence and 69 per cent reported other forms of homophobia including exclusion and rumours.
"Of those surveyed who were abused, 80 per cent said school was where the abuse took place," Ms Henderson said.
The audience found Ms Jones' presentation so beneficial, the EOC has agreed to host another forum for principals, school teachers, health workers and the GLBTI community.
The morning tea forum wil l also include 2011 Western Australian of the Year Donna Cross and cofounder of Safe Schools Coalition Victoria Roz Ward.
It wil l be held on 16 March 2012, from 10am to 11.30am at the Atrium Theatrette in Perth.
"Ms Jones' research has shown that specific strategies need to put in place for homophobic bullying, which is often the most common form of bullying at schools.
"So this forum is aimed at giving the audience the knowledge to form those important strategies," Ms Henderson said.