What can I do if my child says they are experiencing homophobic bullying?

• Show your child you believe and support them
• Ask what they would like to happen next
• Report what is happening to school / college / training provider and ask for a copy of their anti-bullying strategy. The strategy must detail how the school will deal with homophobic bullying
• Look at the resources section for other sources of help and support

What can I do if the school doesn't agree the bullying is homophobic?

Put your concerns in writing to the head teacher. Consider who else in school you need to talk to - e.g. Connexions Personal Adviser, Educational Welfare Officer, school support staff. If this does not help you could write a formal letter of complaint to the school governors.

My child is experiencing homophobic bullying at their work experience placement/on the school bus, who should I report this to?

Contact the school in the first instance. They will have an agreement with the work experience placement / bus company. If necessary, put your concerns in writing.

School have done everything they can. What can I do next?

• Ask your child what they would like to happen next. Contact one of the following agencies for help:
• Equalities Officer - Cumbria County Council
• Children's Services County Educational Psychology Service
• Connexions Cumbria
• Children's Services Educational Welfare Services
• The police. Homophobia is treated as a hate crime and the police have specialist Hate Crime Officers who are trained to deal with these situations

Is Homophobia illegal?

Homophobia is looked upon as a hate crime. It can apply to any incident that is perceived to be homophobic by the victim or any other person.

A homophobic hate crime is any criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated by the offender's hate of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. This can include verbal, physical or emotional abuse by an individual or group; but always directed specifically at someone who is or who is thought to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Incidents of this nature can be reported to the Police directly at a Police Station or over the phone - 0845 3300247, or via the Police website.  (see below)

What can I do if my child is using homophobic language or acting in a homophobic way?

Talk about the issues involved and how this kind of behaviour or language can affect individuals. Research shows that young people who are the target of homophobic bullying are more likely to suffer depression, self-harm and even suicide.

Approach your child's school/college/learning provider - perhaps other children would also benefit from extra tuition on their language and behaviour.

Be aware of the language used by other people your child comes into contact with.

Look at the resources section for other sources of help and information.

My child has been accused of homophobic bullying. I don't believe it/think it's an over-reaction. What can I do?

Speak to the school to find out what is really going on.

How can it be homophobic bullying if the person being picked on isn't gay?

It's the language used that is important not the sexuality of the person being targeted. Homophobia can often be directed at people who are believed to be gay or lesbian because they do not conform to the male or female stereotypes held by some people.

Check the resources section for more sources of information and support.

How can I persuade my child to report it when it might make things worse/be ignored?

Reporting highlights the problem, making it more difficult to ignore.

Try to build your child's confidence in the systems and people in place to offer help.