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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 880 asked in the Legislative Council on 9 November 2010 by Hon Lynn Maclaren

Parliament: 38 Session: 1


HOMOPHOBIC BULLYING IN SCHOOLS — EDUCATION PROGRAMS


880. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister representing the Minister for Education:

I refer to the recently highly publicised suicide of US student Tyler Clementi believed to be caused by homophobic bullying on social networking sites.

(1) What strategies or education programs are in place to address homophobic bullying in WA schools?

(2) Is the minister aware of the recent visits by Daniel Witthaus to regional schools to promote Beyond So Gay, an educational package to challenge homophobia in secondary schools?

Hon PETER COLLIER replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.

(1) All Western Australian schools have the Growing and Developing Healthy Relationship curriculum support materials. GDHR was developed in partnership with the Department of Health, Curtin University and other sections of education. The resource was accompanied by professional learning for teachers, which continues to be funded at a state level by the Department of Health. These materials provide specific advice to teachers on issues relating to sexual orientation and identity, homosexuality and the law, and discrimination.

      The behaviour management in schools policy requires that schools strive to develop an environment free of violence, coercion and discrimination. The policy refers specifically to homophobic bullying, and public schools are required to take action to manage any incidents. All public schools also have access to school psychologists who are available to students to provide support, guidance and referral.
(2) Yes.