Childline reports the damaged caused by homophobic bullying

8.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 31st Aug 2006

The Childline report is further evidence of homophobic bullying in schools

Commenting on today's Childline report raising concerns about the levels of homophobic bullying, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary, Sarah Teather MP said:

"Government guidance must be changed immediately to require schools to log incidences of homophobic bullying so it is properly monitored and tackled. This is an issue that blights the lives of hundreds if not thousands of pupils every single day."

The Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign to highlight the issue of homophobic bullying and welcome Childline's championing of this cause.

Local Lib Dem spokesman Cllr Duncan Hames commented:

"Homophobic bullying is an issue for the whole school, not just for a victimised minority. Parents must feel confident that their child will be safe. School pupils should feel every bit as protected from harassment and violence as would adults in wider society."

Explaining the Lib Dem response to this problem, Sarah Teather MP added:

"More must be done to make school a safe place for all children, no matter what their sexuality. Homophobic taunts and name-calling in schools must be challenged immediately by staff and all schools' anti-bullying policies should be required specifically to include measures to deal with homophobic bullying."

Related Links:

[Lib Dem campaign to stop homophobic bullying]

[Childline Report]