A news report today has claimed that children at some schools in Essex have been allegedly told by teachers to act less gay to prevent being bullied. Apparently, they had been warned about their appearance and their sexuality by teachers who may have had little training on how to deal with bullies.
Young people claimed that teachers told them to wear their hair differently or because the young person may look or behave different, they are making themselves a target.
These allegations come from a report by Essex County Council on the way to deal with bullying in Essex schools. The Young Essex Assembly held a conference for young people across Essex and asked them to share their views on issues such as bullying and the way it is handled in schools.
Understandably, this has caused outrage amongst young people, campaigners and professional organisations.
Bullying UK, part of the Family Lives group say “Teachers should act with compassion and understanding at all times when dealing with reports of bullying, it's all too easy to fall into well-worn sayings like "Toughen up" or "Ignore it" but really this is passing resolution back to a child who may be emotionally at their wits end. What they need is the help and guidance of their teacher, parents and school to resolve the bullying and get back to a happy education.
It's disheartening to hear of pupils being told to act "Less Gay" in Britain in 2011 surely the real message should be to the bullies.... be more tolerant!”
For media enquiries contact:
Simon Walsh
Press & PR Manager
Email: simonw@familylives.org.uk
Mobile: 07525 403 642
Source: BullyingUK
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