Three out of four LBGTQ+ students feel unsafe in Ireland's schools

According to a new study done by advocacy group Belong To, 76% of Ireland's LGBTQ+ students feel unsafe at school.

1,208 LGBTQ+ young people took part in the study representing 26 counties in the Republic of Ireland. The findings show that students do not feel safe in many school settings, including bathrooms, PE, sports faculties, locker rooms, and lunchrooms.

Compared to the general Irish youth population, LGBTQ+ students are four times more likely to be verbally harassed and threatened, and five times more likely to suffer physical harassment.

“I’ve heard stories from friends and it’s really saddening to hear of how many young LGBTQ+ students have to deal with this at such a young age.

Our panellist Adam speaking on the findings from our 2022 School Climate Survey. #SCS2022 pic.twitter.com/92KtPJXqne

— Belong To (@Belong_To) November 15, 2022

58% of students heard homophobic remarks from other students, while 58% came from school staff. One third of students skipped school to "avoid negative treatment due to being LGBTQ+."

"They had a Pride week and I thought it was great until Pride flags were ripped, burned and flushed in toilets. A week that should’ve been great for me and fellow LGBTQ+ students was hell, and I didn’t come in for the rest of the week, fearing my safety and feeling sick with the events," an anonymous respondent shared.

Many LGBTQ+ students face feelings of isolation, as 86% felt deliberately excluded by other students, and 71% had rumours or lies spread about them.

School policies and intervention were not substantial, with 49% of students reporting staff did not intervene when homophobic remarks were made. 70% of students felt staff intervention, when it did take place, was ineffective.

On a positive note, 99% of students knew at least one school staff supportive of LGBTQ+ identities.

"I had two teachers, in particular, who were incredibly supportive of my identity and helped me immensely throughout my senior cycle journey. They were the reason why I felt comfortable being out at all," another anonymous respondent shared.

“We know the importance of safety for our psychological development. During adolescent identity formation, in the absence of safety, so much can go wrong.”

Our panellist Dr Paul D'Alton speaking on the findings from our 2022 School Climate Survey. #SCS2022 pic.twitter.com/VaT665KMHt

— Belong To (@Belong_To) November 15, 2022

Based on these findings, Belong To recommends that schools review and update their policies to educate teachers and counsellors about LGBTQ+ awareness and inclusion. They also urge schools to ensure that their anti-bullying policy specifically addresses homophobic and transphobic bullying.

Belong To is a national organisation supporting LGBTQ+ youth since 2003. They have support services available all across Ireland:

We're here for you.

Talk to our Youth Workers via text, email, & phone if you need support📲 https://t.co/p5pjWDkAXE

Our Crisis Counselling Service w/ @PietaHouse is always available📞 https://t.co/xgXBrwzdVL

Our groups are now online for new members💻 https://t.co/VpKiUP9MzT pic.twitter.com/80AFIMsWwT

— Belong To (@Belong_To) January 6, 2021