Guide tackles homophobic bullying

The emotional effects on the children can be severe

Guidelines for tackling homophobic bullying in schools have been published by a group of children's charities.

The booklet, titled Leave It Out, is aimed at helping schools provide a "tailored approach" to the problem.

It includes exercises for staff and pupils and suggestions on responding to inappropriate language and behaviour.

The guidelines said abuse included verbal and physical attacks, malicious phone calls, emails, text messages and online chatroom bullying.

According to the booklet, a number of pupils suffer homophobic bullying because they are perceived to be gay or lesbian.

It adds, however, that many other pupils are also victims of homophobic bullying, irrespective of their sexual orientation.

"The effects on the emotional wellbeing and educational outcomes of all these children can be severe," the guide said.

A number of Northern Ireland post-primary schools participated in a pilot project, from which the Leave It Out resource materials were developed.

At the Boys' Model School in Belfast, where 90 teenagers took part in discussions, workshops and role-play sessions about homophobic bullying, the students said the experience had helped them understand the issue more clearly.