News and Events

2005 Media Releases

Schoolyards a battleground for same sex attracted young people

Schoolyards around the nation remain the major source of verbal and physical violence against same sex attracted young people (SSAY), according to a national report to be launched in Melbourne today by La Trobe University.

This school-based violence significantly affects its victims and is linked with their increased levels of drug use and self-harm, such as bodily mutilation and suicide attempts.

The researchers have called on state and territory education departments to enforce a zero tolerance response to violence against students in their care. “We want teachers to be given an unambiguous message that the department will support any efforts they make to stamp out homophobic abuse and discrimination in their school. This is not about sexual morality, it is about schools’ responsibility to ensure the health and safety of all young people in their care,” the report’s principal researcher, Dr Lynne Hillier said.

The report, 'Writing themselves in again: 6 years on', is based on the largest survey of its kind in Australia, and was conducted by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society (ARCSHS) at La Trobe University.

Nearly 1,750 young people aged between 14 and 21 who were same sex attracted were surveyed about their experiences of homophobia, discrimination and their sources of support. The young people were from all states and territories, from major cities, rural and remote areas, with 21% from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Dr Hillier said: “Since our first report six years ago there has been no change in the levels of violence experienced by these young people. While teachers and the general community are slowly moving towards greater acceptance and support, these students’ peers have maintained their levels of harassment and cruelty.”

The results indicate that nearly one in two SSAY had experienced unfair treatment and verbal and physical abuse because of their sexuality, with school the most dangerous place to be. The report clearly indicates that such abuse leads to significantly higher levels of self-harming behaviour and use of alcohol and drugs.

There were some positive findings: 95% of SSAY had told at least one other person about their sexuality (compared to 82% in 1998), and supportive responses among adults were more common than six years ago. Families have also become more supportive, with mothers the preferred confidant.

Additionally, many young people spoke of the value of SSAY social support groups recently funded by local councils and state governments. Some young people told researchers these groups had saved their lives. The internet remains the most important source of information about handling discrimination, gay and lesbian relationships and safe sex for same sex attracted young people.

The authors have called on education departments, schools and local communities to build on these positive signs of increasing support for diverse sexualities by supporting adults who are making efforts to keep all young people safe, informed and supported.

Background to the report

'Writing themselves in again' is the second national report on the sexuality, health and well-being of same sex attracted young Australians. Their experiences are contrasted with those of the 750 young people who responded to the first survey conducted in 1998, called Writing themselves in. This report also built on ARCSHS research that had established that between 8 and 11% of young people experienced sexual attraction for their own sex.

The survey was promoted through a range of popular youth websites and magazines (such as Dolly), the gay and lesbian press, and youth and community health networks. Young people were able to complete the survey anonymously online or request a hard copy be sent to them.

The research project aimed to document the levels of homophobia and discrimination experienced by SSAY today, the negative impacts on these young people and the strategies they used to maintain their mental and social well-being in the face of such negativity.

The project also explored the impact of changes during the last six years at government, school and social levels. These have provided more positive messages about gay, lesbian and bisexual people and offered resources for practical support initiatives.

The report will be launched at the The Pelican Room, the Ibis Hotel, Therry St Melbourne at 5 pm on Wednesday, 25 May by Coleen Clare, Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare.

The project is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing. The report’s authors are Dr Lynne Hillier, Alina Turner and Anne Mitchell.

For further information:

For further comment on the report please contact: Dr Lynne Hillier (0417 971 483) who is the Chief Investigator on this project and a senior research fellow at ARCSHS. Anne Mitchell (0412 513 665) is the Director of the Community Liaison and Education Unit at ARCSHS.

ARCSHS Reception: 03 9285 5382, or www.latrobe.edu.au/ssay