Sexuality and gender based bullying in schools An equal opportunity fact sheet for staff What is sexuality and gender based bullying? But does this zero tolerance extend to bullying Everyone knows about bullying in schools. But what if behaviour that is sexual in nature, and does it the bullying behaviour is sexual in nature? apply to sexuality and gender diverse students at All schools have a duty of care to their students and your school? bullying should not be tolerated. Sexuality and gender based bullying can be similar to sexual harassment or sexual orientation “Everyone has the right to be educated in a discrimination. safe environment free from discrimination, It can be suggestive comments or jokes, insults or harassment and bullying.” taunts, pictures, emails or texts sent by the bully and WA Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne intrusive questions about a student’s private life. Henderson. It can even be use of language such as another student saying, “that’s so gay”. Is it against the law? which can be a drain on emotions, time and Yes, sexuality and gender based bullying can be resources for everyone involved. against the law. Staff need to be aware of their behaviour and If the bullying behaviour is sexual in nature it can be attitudes and the behaviour and attitudes of their sexual harassment. students to prevent this kind of bullying from existing Just as it can be sexual orientation discrimination if a in schools. student has been treated less favourably by staff or students because of their sexuality or their presumed “When so many people tell you how sexuality. disgusting you are, you start to feel disgust- ing and at many times in my life, I know I If a student feels they have been harassed or have wanted to turn my back on the person discriminated against they can lodge a complaint to looking at me in the mirror.” Aiden, 18. the EOC or the Australian Human Rights Commission, What is my responsibility under the Act as a staff member? students about discrimination and As a staff member you need to harassment under the Equal be aware of the Opportunity Act 1984. harassment and discrimination laws that apply to you, your It is also important for staff to “My teachers’ silence gave the students and your school. educate students about homophobes the okay,” Stephen discrimination and bullying so Equal opportunity education that all students treat each other and training for staff fairly. members is an important part of this process. The EOC Education and Training section offers state-wide training for staff and
Sexuality and gender based bullying in schools An equal opportunity fact sheet for staff What is sexuality and gender based bullying? Everyone knows about bullying in schools. But what if the bullying behaviour is sexual in nature? All schools have a duty of care to their students and bullying should not be tolerated. “Everyone has the right to be educated in a safe environment free from discrimination, harassment and bullying.” WA Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson. But does this zero tolerance extend to bullying behaviour that is sexual in nature, and does it apply to sexuality and gender diverse students at your school? Sexuality and gender based bullying can be similar to sexual harassment or sexual orientation discrimination. It can be suggestive comments or jokes, insults or taunts, pictures, emails or texts sent by the bully and intrusive questions about a student’s private life. It can even be use of language such as another student saying, “that’s so gay”. Is it against the law? Yes, sexuality and gender based bullying can be against the law. If the bullying behaviour is sexual in nature it can be sexual harassment. Just as it can be sexual orientation discrimination if a student has been treated less favourably by staff or students because of their sexuality or their presumed sexuality. If a student feels they have been harassed or discriminated against they can lodge a complaint to the EOC or the Australian Human Rights Commission, which can be a drain on emotions, time and resources for everyone involved. Staff need to be aware of their behaviour and attitudes and the behaviour and attitudes of their students to prevent this kind of bullying from existing in schools. “When so many people tell you how disgusting you are, you start to feel disgust- ing and at many times in my life, I know I have wanted to turn my back on the person looking at me in the mirror.” Aiden, 18. What is my responsibility under the Act as a staff member? As a staff member you need to be aware of the harassment and discrimination laws that apply to you, your students and your school. Equal opportunity education and training for staff members is an important part of this process. The EOC Education and Training section offers state-wide training for staff and students about discrimination and harassment under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984. It is also important for staff to educate students about discrimination and bullying so that all students treat each other fairly. “My teachers’ silence gave the homophobes the okay,” Stephen