More information
Description
Bullying is becoming an increasingly pressing problem in Slovenian schools. Research on the experiences of young LGBTIQ+ people shows that the school environment is the second most dangerous and violent for them: almost a third of young LGBTIQ+ people (29%) experience violence because of their gender identity – for transgender people this percentage is even higher (43%); 74% disguise their gender identity for fear of bullying; 30% identified classmates as perpetrators of violence and 5% identified teachers or other school workers; school violence doubled between 2003 and 2014 (from 22% to 44%). Due to stigmatization violence mainly remains invisible and is not reported, and the victims are left suffering their distress alone and without real help.
The project Culture of Humiliation aims to increase the sensitivity of the school staff and young people to recognize the negative impact of bullying. Together we will develop and teach them the methods to respond to and address bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We will also address dealing with the pressures experienced by both schools and LGBTQ+ organizations carrying out activities with LGBTIQ+ content in schools.
Throughout two years we will design and test an educational module in cooperation with the Grammar School Ptuj, where we will carry out educational activities and organize an exhibition of works of art by LGBTIQ+ youngsters who have experienced bullying. The module will cover all segments – from teachers and youngsters to parents and school management. The module will be offered for implementation to all the interested schools in Slovenia. Partner from donor country will provide it''s experize from working with schools and addressing bullying.
A very important part of the project is working with LGBTIQ+ youngsters who have experienced bullying.
Summary of project results
Bullying is becoming an increasingly pressing problem in Slovenian schools. Research on the experiences of young LGBTIQ+ people shows that the school environment is the second most dangerous and violent for them: almost a third of young LGBTIQ+ people experience violence because of their gender identity – for transgender people this percentage is even higher (43%); 74% disguise their gender identity for fear of bullying; 30% identified classmates as perpetrators of violence and 5% identified teachers or other school workers; school violence doubled between 2003 and 2014 (from 22% to 44%). Due to stigmatization violence mainly remains invisible and is not reported, and the victims are left suffering their distress alone and without real help.
The Pride Parade Association has been striving for years, together with schools, to open the conversation about bullying. However, due to misunderstanding and various pressures, both inside and outside of school, the door is usually shut for us. Consequently, dealing with this burning issue is insufficient, sporadic, and partial; schools and teachers are often left to fend for themselves, without appropriate tools and methods to prevent bullying or help the victims.
The project Culture of Humiliation aimed to increase the sensitivity of the school staff and young people to recognize the negative impact of bullying. Together with schools they developed and teach school staff the methods to respond to and address bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity. They also address dealing with the pressures experienced by both schools and LGBTQ+ organizations carrying out activities with LGBTIQ+ content in schools.
Throughout two years they designed and tested an educational module in cooperation with the Grammar School Ptuj, carried out educational activities and organizee an exhibition of works of art by LGBTIQ+ youngsters who have experienced bullying. The module covered all segments – from teachers and youngsters to parents and school management. The module was disseminated to all the interested schools in Slovenia.
An analysis of obstacles and needs of Slovenian schools in offering and implementing activities with LGBTIQ+ content was conduced. Based on it they prepared guidelines for addressing the issue systematically. These guidelines were presented to all key stakholders so that the good practice of this project can spread to all Slovenian schools.
Summary of bilateral results
They exchanged good practice with addressing LGBTIQ+ themes in schools.