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Safe Schools Coalition Victoria and SEA

Safe Schools Coalition Victoria and SEA. Roz Ward Safe Schools Coalition Victoria. What is Safe Schools Coalition Victoria?. Funded by DEECD to; Provide support for schools to tackle homophobia and support gender and sexual diversity

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Safe Schools Coalition Victoria and SEA

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  1. Safe Schools Coalition Victoria and SEA Roz Ward Safe Schools Coalition Victoria

  2. What is Safe Schools Coalition Victoria? Funded by DEECD to; • Provide support for schools to tackle homophobia and support gender and sexual diversity • Provide professional development opportunities for all school staff • Create and distribute improved and updated resources for teachers and students • Develop membership for schools and school workers • Provide support for students to lead change and get involved in anti-homophobia projects

  3. 3 national surveys with same sex attracted young people 2010, n=3134 2004, n=1749 1998, n=749

  4. In 2010 • Young people no longer accept discrimination and abuse quietly. • Young people expect to have families and marriage. • Many young people are demanding to have their sexuality and their faith.

  5. When did you first realise? • 10% always knew • 33% knew before puberty • 66% knew at puberty

  6. Where do young people disclose?

  7. Has anyone ever been verbally abusive towards you because of your sexuality? 61% were verbally abused because of their sexuality (44% in 1998, 46% in 2004) [I’ve been told] that im going to hell because im gay.that a good hard cock will change my mind.that being gay is evolutions way of killing me off. that i dont know myself enough to know im gay. that i should be shot at or killed.that i'm fucked in the head because i am gay. (Caz, 19 years) You’re a fucking disgusting faggot" "your a dirty cock sucker" "god hates you" "your gay because your daddy raped you arnt ya? (Ray, 17 years)

  8. Has anyone ever been physically abusive towards you because of your sexuality? 18% were physically assaulted because of their sexuality (14% in 1998; 16% in 2004) I have been beat up numerous times since coming out at 14/15 at school. I was beat up by 3 men at a local pub because i wouldn't tell them about my sexual encounters, or go home with them. i also got beat and kicked out by my dad when he found out i was gay. (Liam 20yrs)

  9. 60% experienced other forms of homophobic bullying

  10. Where did the abuse take place? 80% at school (74% in 2004) 40% at social occasions 35% in the street (47% in 2004) 24% at home (18% in 2004) 17% at work

  11. The impact of abuse Young people who have been physically or verbally abused; • Feel less safe • Are more likely to self harm (62% of those who are physically abused / 22% non) • Are more likely to abuse drugs, drink and smoke

  12. Homophobia and suicide ‘I left school/let my grades slip because I truly believed I couldn't live in this world, and that I wouldn't need an education because I'd kill myself before it mattered. I suffered severe clinical depression (which still affects me, to a lesser extent) and self harmed constantly and to a physically dangerous extent - I stopped it a year and several months ago and I still have large, visible scars’. (Reagan, 17 years)

  13. Homophobia in Schools ‘People often use the word gay, not even homophobic people. They don’t see it as an insult, they’re not trying to be insulting, but I’m insulted’ (Josh, age 20) ‘When I was in school my friends and I tried to start a gay straight alliance but we weren’t allowed to, and I asked to do a speech for a class on homophobia in schools but I was told I couldn’t’ (Kath, age 19) ‘At first I missed days, then quit school all together for a time, before finally moving to a new school, where no one really know much about me, but they all seem fine with anything’ (Tim, age 15)

  14. Impact of homophobia at school • 1 in 3 couldn’t concentrate • 1 in 5 missed classes; missed days at school; marks dropped; hid at recess • 1 in 8 didn’t use change rooms; dropped out of sport • 1 in10 didn’t use the toilets; moved schools; dropped out altogether

  15. What is taught in sexuality education?

  16. Visible supports at school?most common response was ‘none’

  17. Disclosure and support - professionals

  18. Why is homophobia different? • Historically there has been broad institutional backing for homophobic beliefs. • It is harder for those working with young people to challenge homophobic abuse than other bullying such as that based on race or gender. • It is more difficult for young people to access help • The alienation from homophobic bullying is likely to be more absolute.

  19. Positives Young people are more likely to have disclosed; 82% in 1998 95% in 2004 97.5% in 2010 Young people continue to feel better about their sexuality; 60% felt good in 1998 74% in 2004 79% in 2010

  20. Erinsborough High

  21. Primary Schools

  22. Pride March

  23. What can SEA do? School membership? Training opportunities? Sharing resources? Links with local services?

  24. Contacts and Resources www.safeschoolscoalitionvictoria.org.au www.rainbownetwork.net.au www.glhv.org.au Roz Ward (03) 9285 5131 r.ward@latrobe.edu.au

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