Meeting of the Parliament 15 November 2017
I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to speak in today’s debate as a member of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee. I thank fellow members of the committee and the committee clerks who, as always, were of tremendous assistance in publishing the report on prejudice-based bullying and harassment of children and young people in schools.
The committee’s inquiry was extensive and comprehensive, and we took evidence from a wide range of witnesses, including academics and third sector organisations. However, the most compelling voices were undoubtedly those of the young people who spoke candidly of their experiences of bullying and harassment in schools.
The debate has been consensual in nature, with all parties in the chamber expressing a clear commitment to eradicate prejudice-based bullying and harassment of young people in schools. In closing the debate on behalf of Scottish Labour, I will reflect on the key themes of this afternoon’s debate and consider some of the particularly thoughtful contributions from colleagues around the chamber. Before doing so, I will touch briefly on the pertinent issue of LGBTI bullying in schools, about which the committee heard harrowing evidence from a range of young people.
Recent evidence from Stonewall Scotland revealed the continuing high prevalence of LGBTI bullying in schools, which was highlighted earlier by Monica Lennon and other members. In giving evidence to the committee, LGBT Youth Scotland revealed that many of the young people who use its support services have experienced intrusive, suicidal thoughts as a result of the bullying that they have experienced in school.
For too long, we have accepted bullying as just banter, or as part of the natural order of the transition from childhood to adulthood. However, bullying is an extremely serious issue, which can cause long-term damage to an individual’s mental health. We have a responsibility to ensure that every young person, no matter their sexual or gender identity, has the right to a safe and enjoyable education, without fear of bullying or harassment.
LGBTI bullying in schools is not restricted to a certain group of schools or specific regions of the country; it is present in schools in every village, town and city along the length and across the breadth of Scotland. However, things do not have to be that way. As mentioned by David Torrance, Kirkcaldy high school provides a shining example of how schools can take the initiative to tackle LGBTI bullying.
The ethos in Kirkcaldy high school is to actively promote diversity and inclusivity. The school works tirelessly to eradicate LGBTI bullying and has established a student-led LGBTI committee, which has helped to ensure that students feel safe, secure and valued, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. I know that I speak for all members of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee in saying that we were extremely impressed by Kirkcaldy high school’s approach. All of the staff and pupils there should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.
In the time that I have remaining, I will reflect on the key themes in the debate. We have heard considered and thoughtful speeches from across the chamber. There has rightly been a focus on improving the recording and monitoring of bullying and harassment in schools and on how to improve support services in schools to give the appropriate guidance and counselling to young people who have been bullied or harassed. Several members highlighted the importance of PSE. James Dornan’s contribution, which covered his committee’s work, was particularly helpful, and I am grateful to the Education and Skills Committee for its on-going focus on the issue.
I do not have time to go through every individual contribution to the debate, but I want to mention the contributions of Gail Ross and Neil Findlay, which were particularly powerful. In addition, I want to mention Daniel Johnson and Clare Haughey, who touched on the important issue of mental health.
I thank all members who have contributed thoughtfully and constructively to this vital debate. Most important, I thank once again all the young people who gave evidence to the Equalities and Human Rights Committee. Without their bravery, honesty and openness, we would not be aware of the true scale of the prejudice-based bullying and harassment that are still experienced by thousands of children in Scotland each and every day. As a Parliament, we must do more to promote inclusivity in schools, but local authorities and individual schools must also take greater responsibility for eradicating prejudice-based bullying and harassment.