Written submission from Stonewall (SVS0052)

Introduction

  1. Stonewall is a national charity which campaigns for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) equality in Britain and abroad. We warmly welcome this opportunity to respond to the Committee’s inquiry into sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools.

 

  1. Stonewall works with over 1000 schools to embed LGBT equality across the education sector. We want every school to be free from homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying and ensure that every young person is free to be themselves, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. 

 

 

  1. Stonewall knows that sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools is a serious problem that has the potential to affect all young people. This response outlines the experiences of LGBT young people as we believe they are at great risk of being affected by sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools.

 

  1. We strongly advocate that all recommendations made as a result of this inquiry are inclusive to all young people.

What is sexual harassment and sexual violence, and who is at risk?

  1. Every young person is at risk of sexual harassment and sexual violence in school. Stonewall urges that the Committee considers beyond the research referenced and ensures that the scope of the inquiry acknowledges all young people are potentially at risk. 

 

  1. Stonewall believes that when teaching about sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools, the focus is very much on non-trans (or cis-gendered) straight females as victims.  While this focus is important, we are concerned that it risks excluding other young people and therefore there remains reduced awareness and understanding that every young person is at risk. We believe this lack of awareness means many young people, including those that identify as LGBT, feel this issue does not apply to them and as a result, will not report cases as frequently.

 

  1. Stonewall strongly recommends that all schools have clear policies and procedures in place around sexual harassment and sexual violence. It is crucial that both staff and pupils are confident on what the definitions of sexual harassment and sexual violence are and whether a school should report a case internally or to the police.  Furthermore, schools should ensure they record and monitor all cases of sexual harassment and sexual violence to identify which groups are particularly at risk as there is currently a lack of data on this.

 

  1. In order to ensure that the policies and procedures developed are appropriate, schools should consult with all young people and staff to accurately understand the issue.

Experiences of LGBT young people

  1. We know that LGBT young people are at high risk of experiencing abuse and violence. Metro Centre’s Youth Chances Survey (2014) found that one in five LGBTQ young people have experienced some form of sexual abuse, compared to one in ten non-trans straight people. The same research found that few LGBTQ young people receive support – 79 per cent of respondents who had been sexually abused received no support.

 

  1. Stonewall knows that LGBT young people are at greater risk of being bullied at school. University of Cambridge research for Stonewall in The School Report (2012) – which surveyed more than 1,600 lesbian, gay and bisexual young people – found that 55 per cent have experienced homophobic and biphobic bullying. Additionally, the Metro Centre’s Youth Chances Survey (2014) found that 28 per cent of trans young people have experienced physical abuse at school. We know from our work with teachers across the country that many staff feel ill-equipped to support trans young people when they are being bullied. 

 

  1. Stonewall strongly urges schools to form clear policies and procedures on tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, as many of the attitudes that lead to this can also result in sexual harassment and sexual violence. It is vital that staff take a zero-tolerance approach when tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic abuse and that awareness is raised by embedding LGBT issues across the curriculum.

 

  1. Stonewall can support schools in doing this through our Train the Trainer course which equips teachers with the knowledge and confidence to tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying and successfully embed LGBT issues across the curriculum. We have also produced resources to support schools to ensure they properly support LGBT young people. 

 

Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) and Sex and Relationships Education (SRE)

  1. We believe that schools should use PSHE and SRE to address the impact of sexual harassment and sexual violence on all young people, including those that identify as LGBT. This should include content on consent, unwanted physical contact and other inappropriate actions that would fall under the umbrella of sexual harassment or sexual violence.

 

  1. Stonewall believes that high-quality PSHE and SRE provision, which includes sexual orientation and gender identity issues, is key to successfully eliminating homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, safeguarding LGBT young people and preparing all pupils for life in 21st century Britain. We remain concerned that the provision of PSHE and SRE in schools is not compulsory and continue to strongly urge that it becomes so.

 

  1. Furthermore, we strongly believe that guidance on delivering good quality PSHE and SRE, including sexual orientation and gender identity issues should form an integral part of all training for teachers. 

Online

  1. Stonewall believes that one of the most effective ways to protect young people from harmful material, sexual harassment and sexual violence online is to embed the principles of online safety within the school curriculum. PSHE must be used as an opportunity for young people to learn about how to navigate the internet and reinforce online safety messages around harmful online material, bullying, relationships, peer-pressure and exploitation.

 

  1. Stonewall believes that online services are an excellent tool for LGBT young people in accessing important resources, connecting with other communities and meeting other LGBT young people. We are aware that online services are also a place where all young people can be subjected to cyberbullying, sexual harassment and may access inappropriate content. The School Report (2012) found that almost 25 per cent of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people have experienced cyberbullying.

 

  1. Sexting, an increasingly common phenomenon found to be prominent especially amongst gay young people, is the sharing of self-generated sexually focused messages and videos, on mobile phones or online. A ChildLine and Young Stonewall survey of almost 250 young gay people found that 59 per cent had created a sexual photo or video compared to 40 per cent of young people in general. Stonewall is deeply concerned that sexting can leave young people vulnerable to bullying or blackmail from peers and strangers - once the image has been sent, it is entirely out of their control and can be passed on. This distress can significantly harm the wellbeing of all young people.

 

  1. Further to this, we are concerned that LGBT young people are less likely to report cases of sexual harassment or sexual violence that they receive online through fear of being outed as LGBT to family and peers.

 

 

May 2016