Reforms may protect gay students

Reforms may protect gay students

By Andrew Potts

Planned reforms to the Sex Discrimination Act could be used to protect students from some forms of homophobic bullying, following a review by the Senate and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
The Act already covers sexual bullying, regardless of the gender of victims and perpetrators. But the report by the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs recommends sexual harassment laws be extended to people of all ages, and where the victim and perpetrator are from different schools.
Currently a child must be over 16 to make a complaint, and the perpetrator a teacher or student at the same school.
A dissenting report by Liberal senators criticised other measures but agreed people should be protected from sexual harassment, “regardless of their age and regardless of whether they are harassed by someone from the same or another educational institution”.
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick confirmed that many forms of homophobic bullying meet the current definition of sexual harassment, so long as it can be proven that “a reasonable person would have anticipated that the victim would have been offended, humiliated or intimidated”.
This could include making up stories about a student having sex with fellow students or teachers, sexual drawings or graffiti targeting a student, or unwanted questioning about whether a student was attracted to other people.
However, she cautioned, “There is no federal law that specifically targets homophobia and vilification on the grounds of sexuality.”
Religious institutions are not exempt from sexual harassment laws. However, religious schools may still expel students on the grounds of sexuality.
Twenty10 managing director Rebecca Reynolds welcomed the proposed changes, but said it was vital that resources be dedicated to help young people understand their rights and obligations should they be passed.
“They will be asked to participate in a system that is geared towards an adult understanding of legal and societal concepts and will need to be well supported for the changes to make meaningful impacts on the day-to-day of their lives,” Reynolds said.

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One response to “Reforms may protect gay students”

  1. Start by repealing “de facto spouse” (meaning only opposite sex couples) from the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act 1984. “De facto spouse” is quoted also in the definition of “marital status” (subsection f) and “near relative”.

    And the Government should pass legislation to add “sexuality”, “marital or domestic partnership status” and “gender idenity” into the Sex Discrimination Act 1984.

    All states and territories of Australia include same sex couples as a couple under the definition of “marital status” (in WA, VIC, NT), “relationship status” (in QLD, ACT, TAS) “marital or domestic status” (in NSW only) or “marital or domestic partnership status” (in SA only).

    Information from:
    http://www.austlii.edu.au/