Report Finds 73% Of LGBT+ Students Feel Unsafe At School

LGBT+ abuse

An LGBT+ charity is calling on the Education Minister Joe McHugh to take urgent action to ensure students who are gay feel safe.

BeLonG To Youth Services found 77% of LGBTI+ students experience verbal abuse, while 38%  have experienced physical abuse.

The School Climate Survey also found 55% of those asked have heard transphobic remarks from teachers and staff.

The research was released today to mark the 10^th year of Stand Up Awareness Week – Ireland’s largest anti LGBTI+ bullying campaign.

Findings show that an alarming 73% of LGBTI+ students feel unsafe at school.

Urgent action needed as research reveals an alarming 73% of LGBTI+ students feel unsafe at school. Our #SchoolClimateSurvey shows LGBTI+ students experience physical & sexual assault, harassment & abuse at school. Read the key findings 👉https://t.co/BmwnYp25uy pic.twitter.com/XeQg71mXc0

— BeLonG To Youth Services (@BeLonG_To) November 12, 2019

Firstly some 77% of LGBTI+ students experience verbal harassment (name calling or being threatened).

38% experience physical harassment (being shoved or pushed).

11% experience physical assault (punched, kicked or injured with a weapon) based on their sexual orientation, gender or gender expression.

While 68% of LGBTI+ students also stated they hear anti-LGBTI+ remarks from other students.

48% reported hearing homophobic remarks – and a further 55% reported hearing transphobic remarks – from teachers and staff members.

As a result of feeling unsafe and unaccepted at school, LGBTI+ students are 27% more likely to miss school and 8% less likely to pursue third-level education.