Creating safe and supportive environments

Creating safe and supportive environments in schools is up to the Department of Education and Training, writes MICHAEL WEST and LIZ HAMMOND.

How safe is your school for young same sex attracted people, parents or staff? Is it safe and supportive for everyone? Who do you turn to when you feel unsafe or need to challenge discrimination?

Australian researcher Lynne Hillier has listened to the voices of young gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people about their experience in schools, in particular their experiences of abuse.

Almost 70 per cent of the abuse disclosed had taken place at school, which means that school is a more violent place for these young people than the streets.

All students and teachers are at risk of discrimination and abuse. Social and educational inclusion and equity is not concerned with problematising particular groups and affording privilege to a limited few, it is fundamentally concerned with safeguarding and maintaining the human rights and dignity of all people. This has particular significance for some of us, who are perceived to be different, and thereby actively excluded from enjoying a full and meaningful social life.

Young people witness (and experience) the abuse and harassment of those who are or are perceived to be different throughout their years at school. The terms 'gay' and 'lesbian' are commonly used as generic put-downs in the playground. Texts and teachings often fail to include information on diverse sexualities, gay and lesbian people, history and safe sex information relevant to sexual and gender minorities. This is an active and systemic form of erasure, of social exclusion.

Schools have an important role in providing an environment in which all children feel safe and are supported in dealing with experiences of violence in or out of school. Whole school approaches to identifying and eliminating gendered violence in the lives of students is essential.

In order to be learners, our kids need to believe they can succeed, feel securely connected to others, feel worthy and capable of love and respect, be valued and treated with respect and fairness; and feel physically and psychological safe. The bottom dollar is it is up to the Department of Education and Training, an arm of our public service, working in conjunction with teachers to make sure this occurs for all students, teachers and parents.

Sticks and Stones forum

Following on from the success of the first round table discussion, Gender Construction and Its Impact on Homophobia, the NSW Anti-Homophobia Interagency Working Group has organised a second round table event, Sticks and Stones on November 20.

The forum will examine the concept of what a safe and supportive environment means and analysing strategies of best practice. Issues to be addressed will include establishing inclusive classrooms, best practice models in schools, roles and responsibilities of schools in supporting safe environments, and advocating for the rights of same sex attracted young people in educational settings.

Registration is from 11.45 am to midday, with light refreshments being served. The event will run from noon to 4pm at the Quality Hotel in Sydney. Cost $20. For more information or to be sent a registration form call the NSW Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project (AVP) on (02) 9206 2066 or e-mail avp@acon.org.au.

This event was made possible with funding support from the NSW Attorney General's Department.

Michael West is the Secretary and Liz Hammond is a member of the NSW Anti-Homophobia Interagency Working Group.

Skool's Out! Are you?

For further information

October 2003 contents