More boys bullied than girls about their sexuality

Mar 31 2008 by Laura Davis, Liverpool Daily Post

SEVEN per cent of young people in Liverpool have been bullied about their sexuality.

Incidences are significantly higher among boys (11%) than girls (3%).

Only around one in three (59%) of Liverpool young people experiencing homophobic bullying in schools said staff had been aware of it.

ALMOST two-thirds of young lesbian, gay and bisexual people experience homophobic bullying.

Only one person questioned had tried to bring the bullying to the attention of staff. Furthermore, this person did not feel able to disclose the homophobic nature of the bullying.

75% of young gay people in faith schools experience homophobic bullying and are less likely than pupils in other schools to report it.

Of those who have been bullied, 92% have experienced verbal homophobic bullying, 41% physical bullying and 17% death threats.

Half of those who have experienced homophobic bullying have skipped school because of it and one in five has skipped school more than six times.

Those who are bullied experience the following: verbal abuse, 92%; malicious gossip, 76%; intimidating looks, 62%; ignored and isolated, 58%; cyberbullying, 41%; physical abuse, 41%; vandalism and theft of property, 30%; death threats, 17%.

SOURCES: Liverpool City Council Bullying Audit 2007; Stormbreak Research and Consultancy; report commissioned by Liverpool City Council and Stonewall, The School Report 2007.