0800 1111

The NSPCC (National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children) has reported a rise in callers to their helpline to ask for help with homophobic bullying. In my opinion this is not because homophobic bullying is a new phenomena in schools, but more that young LGBT teenagers realise that it is wrong.

There was a 21% rise in calls to Childline about all types of bullying in the year up to March 2006. About a quarter of all calls to the helpline are about bullying of some form or other. LGBT youth feel unable to tell teachers or parents, and thus feel lonely and isolated.

Many teachers ignore verbal abuse of gay young people, passing it off as a normal part of growing up in a school environment. This may then escalate into physical abuse. All of which has a detrimental effect on LGBT youth.

The Liberal Democrats have produced three points which they think should be implemented immediately:

1. Homophobic taunts and name calling in schools should be challenged immediately by staff.

2. All schools' anti-bullying policies should be required to include measures specifically to deal with homophobic bullying.

3. At least one teacher in every school should undergo training which includes how to tackle homophobic bullying.

If you agree, sign the online petition to help young people like me who have called Childline in the past.