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shOUT!
Research
into the needs of young people in Northern Ireland who identify
as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT)
The ‘Shout’
research report looks at the experiences of young people who identify
as LGBT in Northern Ireland and identifies their support needs,
as well as the support needs of organisations who work with these
young people.
The report was
commissioned by the Department of Education as part of their statutory
duty to promote equality of opportunity under Section 75 of the
Northern Ireland Act 1998. The research itself was carried out by
YouthNet, the Voluntary Youth Network for Northern Ireland.
The research
was conducted using questionnaires and focus group sessions. Separate
questionnaires were developed to target young people, organisations
and public authorities. A total of 362 young people who identified
as LGBT responded to the questionnaire and 25 LGBT young people
engaged in the focus groups.
The
key findings from the research are highlighted below.
- While most
respondents realised they were LGBT in their early teens, on average
it was five years before they came out to someone else. The research
identified the need to develop specific support for young people
under 16 years old.
- The majority
(73%) of respondents came out to friends first and almost two-thirds
of the respondents did not feel they could tell their parents
when they first came out. This was linked to a fear of rejection
by their family, and consequently left these young people vulnerable
and at risk. The research identified the need for support mechanisms
for parents/guardians around issues which affect young people
who identify as LGBT.
- Most respondents
got information/support from the internet, books and magazines
and a significant proportion (22%) had contacted a lesbian/gay
group. However, only 4% received information/support from school.
The research identified the need to develop relevant information
materials on sexual orientation for young people to be distributed
through the formal and non-formal education sectors.
- Many of the
respondents (44%) experienced bullying at school and linked this
to leaving school earlier than they would have preferred. Respondents
also linked issues related to their sexuality to the attainment
of lower results, truanting, dropping out and changing school.
- In addition
respondents did not feel that the curriculum was responsive to
their lives or their feelings. The research, therefore, identified
the need to include sexuality as a core topic in both the new
Citizenship curriculum and in the Relationships and Sexuality
Education programme. The research also indicated that it would
be necessary to pilot resource materials for the formal education
sector that will increase awareness at all levels and directly
support work around issues of sexuality/sexual orientation.
- Respondents
who were associated with youth organisations also encountered
negative attitudes from both peers and youth leaders, indicating
the need to develop resource materials to raise awareness and
provide support in responding to these issues in the non-formal
education sector. Organisations also need to include sexual orientation
in their Equal Opportunities, Anti-Bullying, Anti-Harassment and
Volunteers policies and ensure these are fully implemented.
Many
respondents highlighted the support they had received from LGBT
groups, indicating that there is a great need for such supportive
organisations.
The research
revealed that respondents were:
- At least
three times more likely to attempt suicide;
- Two and a
half times more likely to self harm;
- Five times
more likely to be medicated for depression; and,
- Twenty times
more likely to suffer from an eating disorder than their heterosexual
counterparts
The research,
therefore, identified a clear need to develop and resource services
aimed at reducing high risk behaviour and incidence of mental health
issues among young people who identify as LGBT.
For schools
there is no formal legal requirement to provide education in sex
and sexuality, however they do have a responsibility under the Education
Reform (NI) Order 1989 to prepare pupils for adult life, and the
proposed new curriculum guidance for teachers of Key Stage 3 directly
deals with the issue of sexual orientation.
In relation
to the youth service the research found that the issue of sexual
orientation had been given little consideration, however it found
that there was a willingness to accommodate young people who identified
as LGBT, and a clear need for staff training to deal with the issues.
Furthermore the research found that there was a need to resource
specific initiatives and social spaces for young people who identify
as LGBT to support their personal, social, emotional and educational
development.
The report includes
recommendations for key agencies in both the formal and non-formal
education sectors aimed at delivering the needs of young people
who identify as LGBT.
A copy of the
research report can be obtained by clicking on the link to the right
or to obtain a hard copy or further information contact:
YouthNet
The Warehouse
2nd Floor
7 James Street South
Belfast
BT2 8DN
Tel: 028 9033
1880
Email: info@youthnet.co.uk
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