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21st November 2013

 

METRO has welcomed today's announcement by Equalities Minister Jo Swinson MP of a fund to investigate what works in tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools.

METRO will shortly be launching findings from its Youth Chances researchproject which has surveyed over 7,000 16-25 year olds across England about their experiences at school and across all areas of their lives. This is the largest survey of its kind and will highlight the scale of discrimination, bullying and abuse that young LGBTQ people experience, and the views of their heterosexual, cisgender peers. Youth Chances also asks what schools are currently doing to address LGBTQ issues and what young people want them to do better.

Dr Greg Ussher, METRO CEO said:

We are really pleased that the Government has announced this initiative during Anti-Bullying Week. We know from our work with young people and from what we are hearing directly from them through Youth Chances, that homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying affects all children and young people and needs to be stopped. Young people tell us that it affects their time at school and it can shape their long-term life chances. Our work with schools shows that change is possible, with the right support and leadership. We each have a duty to make this happen for the sake of all our children and young people.

Notes:
1. Youth Chances is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and is led by METRO in partnership with the University of Greenwich and Ergo Consulting. It is a five year social research project working directly with individuals, providers and commissioners to influence service provision and policy for 16-25 year old LGBTQ youth. www.youthchances.org 
2. Today's announcement from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tackling-homophobic-bullying-in-schools 
3. Anti-Bullying Week is an annual event set up by the Anti-Bullying Alliance to give people all over the country a chance to think about bullying and come up with new ideas on how to prevent it: http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/