Burnham beats the bullies (Eleanor Burnham )

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Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

Burnham beats the bullies

September 27, 2007 3:22 PM

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Equal Opportunities Spokesperson and Assembly Member for North Wales, has challenged the Minister for Education, Children and Young People to address the need to tackle endemic homophobic bullying amongst young people.

Ms Burnham raised her concerns with the Minister about homophobic bullying following the publication of Stonewall's 'The School Report' which demonstrates the negative effect that homophobic bullying has on the psychological and educational welfare of children.

Ms Burnham said: "Homophobic bullying not only affects Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual students but entire schools. A culture where any sort of bulling exists makes schools unsafe for everyone.

"Even if Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual pupils are not directly experiencing bullying, they are learning in an environment where homophobic language and comments are commonplace.

"Children spend a huge amount of their time in school. How can we expect them to grow up as balanced young adults when homophobic bullying goes unchallenged in the classroom?"

Ms Burnham added: "Having been been involved with teaching young people throughout North Wales, I have seen the effects of many kinds of bullying on students. They can end up faking illness and missing lessons just to escape abuse from other students.

"I urge the Minister to consider conducting in-depth research into homophobic bullying in our schools. We need to understand the situation for Welsh pupils to tackle this type of bullying alongside other negative behaviour.

"Further research would enable teachers and students to understand and deal with homophobic bullying appropriately.

"We need to support a tolerant, modern and inclusive environment in our Welsh schools. There is no place for homophobic bullying, or indeed any type of bullying, in 21st century Wales."