Out in the Open: Education Sector Responses to Violence based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression

In some countries, 85% of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students experience homophobic and transphobic violence in school, and 45% of transgender students drop out. Homophobic violence also targets 33% of students who are wrongly perceived to be LGBT because they do not appear to conform to gender norms. These are among the findings from Out in the Open, a global report on education sector responses to violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Compiled by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the International Day of Action Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), the report gives an analysis of data on the nature, scope, and impact of violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression and of current action. It also intends to provide education sector stakeholders with a framework for planning and implementing effective responses to violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression as part of wider efforts to prevent and address violence in schools.

The report describes different kinds of homophobic and transphobic bullying and provides many specific examples. It involves: physical bullying (including repeated hitting, kicking and taking, or threatening to take, possessions); psychological bullying including verbal bullying (repeated mocking, name calling and unwanted teasing); social or relational bullying (repeated exclusion, gossiping, the spreading of rumours and the withholding of friendship); and a type of psychological bullying called cyber bullying (repeated threats, criticism, or unkind comments or images that are sent using information and communication technology (ICT), such as mobile phones, email, and social media, including chat rooms and networking sites). Digital communications offer anonymity to perpetrators.

The report finds that violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression is more likely to happen in school than at home or in the community. Students who are subjected to this type of violence are more likely to miss class, skip school, avoid school activities, have lower academic achievement, and/or drop out of school. In Argentina, 45% of transgender students dropped out of school due to bullying and exclusion, while LGBT students in Australia, China, Denmark, El Salvador, Italy, and Poland reported lower academic achievement due to violence. Homophobic and transphobic violence is also associated with poorer than average physical and mental health, including increased risk of anxiety, fear, depression, self-harm and suicide. Studies from Belgium the Netherlands, Poland, and the United States suggest that LGBT students and young people are between 2 and 5 times more likely to consider or attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.

Noing that the education sector has a responsibility to provide safe and inclusive learning environments for all students, the report suggests that addressing homophobic and transphobic violence in schools is critical to effective learning, to meet human rights commitments, including the right to education and the rights of the child, and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - in particular, SDG4: ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The report calls for a comprehensive, whole school response, to end homophobic and transphobic violence in educational settings. Such an approach includes all of the following elements: effective policies, relevant curricula and training materials, training and support for staff, support for students and families, information and strategic partnerships, and monitoring and evaluation. It also includes both preventing and responding to violence, involves all relevant stakeholders, and is implemented at national and sub-national levels. UNESCO recommends that the response by the education sector should be rights-based, learner-centred and inclusive, participatory, gender responsive and transformative, evidence-based, age-appropriate, and context-specific and culturally sensitive.

Yet, according to the report, few countries have all of the elements of a comprehensive education sector response in place. Very few countries have education sector policies that address homophobic and transphobic violence or include sexual orientation and gender identity/expression in curricula or learning materials. In most countries, staff lack training and support to address sexual orientation and gender identity/expression and to prevent and respond to homophobic and transphobic violence. Although many countries provide support for students who experience violence, services are often ill-equipped to deal with homophobic and transphobic violence. Furthermore, few countries collect data on the nature, prevalence or impact of homophobic and transphobic violence, which contributes to low awareness of the problem and lack of evidence for planning effective responses.

Partnerships with civil society organisations with expertise in preventing and responding to homophobic and transphobic violence can contribute to effective responses. "Strategic partnerships and information campaigns are critical for effective education sector responses to homophobic and transphobic violence in educational settings." Several examples and case studies are provided from countries around the world. Other recommendations for the global education sector that are included in the global review:

1. "Monitor systematically the prevalence of violence in educational settings, including violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
2. Establish comprehensive national and school policies to prevent and address violence in educational settings, including violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
3. Ensure that curricula and learning materials are inclusive.
4. Provide training and support to teachers and other education and school staff to prevent and address violence in educational settings, including violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
5. Ensure safe school environments are inclusive and provide support for students affected by violence, including violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, and their families.
6. Provide access to non-judgmental and accurate information on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression through information campaigns and partnerships with civil society and the wider school community.
7. Evaluate the efficiency, effectiveness and impact of education sector responses to violence, including violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression."