Bullying shame sparks call for more school anti-homophobia funding / Commitment of independent schools questioned

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 3.8.08.

Tasmanian gay activists have called on the State Government to increase funding for school anti-homophobia programs in an effort to reduce bullying.

The call comes in the wake of the revelation that 40 Tasmanian students are suspended for bullying every week.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that anti-gay prejudice is one of the leading causes of school-yard bullying.

"The Tasmanian Government has set aside a one-off payment of $50,000 to help roll out the very effective Pride and Prejudice program, but clearly more needs to be done", Mr Croome said.

"We call on Premier Bartlett to establish a specific, annual budget allocation for tackling homophobia in schools."

"Every Tasmanian school must be in a position to regularly run these programs, and this can only happen if there is increased, on-going funding."

The Pride and Prejudice anti-homophobia program, originally developed in Catholic schools in Victoria, was implemented in selected Tasmanian high schools in 2006.

The program was evaluated by University of Tasmania academics and shown to significantly reduce the sexual prejudices which can lead to bullying.

Following the successful evaluation Education Minister, David Bartlett, allocated $50,000 to roll out the program.

Mr Croome also challenged a claim by Association of Independent Schools chief, Tony Crehan, that bullying is being addressed in all independent schools.

"Schools that aren't tackling homophobia, aren't tackling bullying, and apart from a small number of progressive Catholic schools, most independent schools are still turning a blind eye to homophobic prejudice."

For more on bullying in Tasmanian schools visit
http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,24120204-921,00.html

For the recommendation of the Pride and Prejudice implementation report visit
http://tglrg.org/more/255_0_1_0_M/

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.