AM fears that gay bullying in schools is ignored

Information secured by the South Wales East AM’s office under the Freedom of Information Act showed that there were more than 70 reported cases of homophobic bullying in secondary schools across the five Gwent council areas in the last five years.

Some of the cases were serious enough for police to become involved, with other cases showing that exclusions and counselling for both victims and perpetrators had been used in response to complaints.

There were 42 incidents in Gwent schools, one school in the Rhymney Valley reported 23 incidents, while two other Rhymney Valley schools reported four among them.

But Mr Whittle said he was concerned whether or not other schools were specifically identifying homophobic bullying.

He said: “The survey indicates many schools have no recorded incidents of homophobic bullying over the past five years. That does make me think whether or not all schools identify homophobic bullying separately from bullying accusations generally. If pupils are called gay, for instance, that should be recorded as homophobic bullying.

“I believe these figures are probably the tip of the iceberg and I urge all schools to treat the issue of homophobic bullying with the seriousness it deserves.”

His concerns were echoed by Stonewall Cymru, a charity which supports gay, lesbian and bisexual people in Wales.

Their education officer, Luke Young, said: “Our most recent research, The School Report 2012, shows that over half of all lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) pupils experience homophobic bullying.

“With such widespread reports it’s surprising to find such a large number of schools in the area have reported zero incidents. We know that when schools monitor homophobic incidents and act on the information they have the rate of bullying falls.

Councils take a stand on all forms of bullying

GWENT councils said they take bullying in any form extremely seriously.

A spokeswoman for Blaenau Gwent council said: “Schools carry out pupil group work on homophobia.

The school referral room facility may be used; mediation with restorative justice approaches can also be used, as well as detention or exclusion.”

A Newport city council spokeswoman said: “The council’s education inclusion team regularly reviews the level and type of support it provides to school-based staff on anti bullying issues Parents should initially contact the school and arrange a meeting with the head.”

A spokeswoman for Caerphilly council said: “In September 2012 we also introduced mandatory discriminatory incident monitoring in schools, with homophobic bullying a distinct category to be recorded.”

Cllr Brian Mawby, executive member for children and young people said:“Torfaen takes all allegations of bullying within our schools extremely seriously and is committed to supporting a culture where children and young people, professionals and parents all have confidence that appropriate action is taken if instances are reported.”

A Monmouthshire council spokesman said: “Monmouthshire council will provide guidance on good practice which schools will use for all aspects of bullying – including homophobic bullying - in line with the 2011 Welsh Government document ‘Respecting Others’.”

How reported cases were dealt with by schools

HOMOPHOBIC bullying incidents reported from 2008 in Gwent:

Bassaleg School
Reported incidents: 8.
Response to incidents: counselling (no recurrence).

Brynmawr School
Reported incidents: 16.
Response to incidents: range – detention, exclusion, group work on homophobia, school referral room facility, mediation with restorative justice approaches.

Croesyceiliog School
Reported incidents: 4.
Response to incidents: guilty pupils reprimanded, parents informed, head of year informed. Police dealt with “slightly more serious” case.

Cwmcarn High School
Reported incidents: 3.
Response to incidents: fixed-term exclusion.

Fairwater School, Cwmbran
Reported incidents: 5 (since October 2012).
Response to incidents: parents informed, internal exclusion.

Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw
Reported incidents: 1.
Response to incidents: N/A.

Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School
Reported incidents: 2.
Response to incidents: parents contacted, counselling provided to all parties, guilty pupils sanctioned in accordance to school discipline policy.

Risca Community Comprehensive
Reported incidents: 3 (no reports 2011-13). No formal central recording until 2011.
Response to incidents: fixed-term exclusions.

Ysgol Gyfun Tredegar
Reported incidents: 1.
Response to incidents: parental contact, police school liaison officer.