Homophobia help for schools
A new resource to combat homophobia in secondary schools in Melbourne’s north will be launched this month.
The Pridentity Resource Kit has been developed by the regional health service Women’s Health In the North (WHIN) to reduce homophobia rates in schools.
WHIN project worker Catherine Reidy said the development of the resource was personal, after being on the receiving end of homophobic bullying while at school.
“When students feel safer, the whole community benefits,” Reidy said.
“National research tells us that 80 percent of all homophobic harassment occurs in schools, having a negative impact on the physical and emotional health of same-sex attracted young people. However, what we also know is that a positive and inclusive school environment can be a protective factor, building resilience in students.”
The resource comes out of WHIN Pridentity workshops which have been run in schools since 2009.
The Pridentity guide will be available in hardcopy and an e-book format and will be launched in Preston on August 23 at Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre.
INFO: www.whin.org.au
good to see that further programs are being introduced within schools to combat the homophobia that exist within the boundary