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Is homophobia a major issue?

  • One in five lesbian and gay people have experienced a homophobic hate crime or incident in the last three years.
  • 68% of those targeted did not report the incident to anyone.
  • Young people aged 18 to 24 are more likely to be the target of homophobic abuse.
  • One in six victims of homophobic hate incidents experienced a physical assault and almost one in six experienced a threat of violence. 88% of victims experienced insults and harassment.
  • Three in five victims experienced a hate incident committed by a stranger under the age of 25. Nearly one in six victims were targeted by offenders who live in the local area, and one in ten were the victim of an incident committed by a work colleague.
(Source: YouGov survey commissioned by the Home Office, 2008)

Homophobic bullying is clearly recognised to be an issue by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, OFSTED, the Health and Police services and schools and youth groups nationwide. Follow this link for guidance, written by EACH and Stonewall for the DCSF, on Preventing and Responding to Homophobic School Bullying

EACH delivers training to school staff organised with your local LEA or Children and Young People's Services.

Overall, there is a clear legal framework for schools to work within, backed up by national policy guidance:

  • Education and Inspections Act 2006
  • Equality Act 2006
  • Every Child Matters: Change for Children 2004 and Ofsted’s 2005 framework for reporting how a school is promoting the five outcomes
  • Bullying – Don’t Suffer in Silence, DfES 2002
  • Sex and Relationship Education, DfES, 2000
  • National Healthy Schools Standard, DfES 1999
  • School Standards and Framework Act 1988
  • Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003

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