Safe Schools Coalition Victoria
Supporting sexual diversity in schools
Safe Schools Coalition Victoria is a 29-strong group of schools dedicated to reducing homophobia, transphobia
and heterosexism within school communities to create safer learning environments.
The program is funded by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and delivered by FYA and Rainbow Network Victoria. It provides support to students, teachers, families and school communities through training and professional development, resource development and consultation.
Having a supportive, safe and inclusive school environment is a key factor in the wellbeing and educational outcomes for same sex attracted and gender questioning young people.
Australian research has shown that:
- Between 7% and 11% of young people are attracted to others of their own sex or are unsure of their sexual attraction
- 75% of young people report experiencing some sort of homophobic abuse
- 80% of this abuse occurs at school.
- Hillier et al, 2010, Smith et al, 2003
The impact of a supportive, safe and inclusive school environment shows that:
- Students felt safer (86% compared with 46%)
- Young people are less likely to self harm (21% compared with 40%) and/or attempt
- suicide (11% compared with 23%)
- Young people are less likely to be abused (71% compared with 49%).
- Hillier et al, 2010
