On January 7, the suicide of Lucas, a victim of homophobia, shocked the whole of France. The government launched a campaign on this scourge in 2019 and plans actions on May 17, the day against homophobia and transphobia. What are the consequences of homophobia and how can you help your child deal with it? The answers of Stéphane Clerget, child psychiatrist.
At school, many students experience daily teasing, insults, violence and harassment regarding their sexual orientation and gender identity. This was the case of the young Lucas, a 13-year-old schoolboy who was the victim of homophobia and school bullying from some comrades, who pushed him to commit suicide. To prevent these tragedies and combat these forms of discrimination and violence, the Ministry of National Education has decided to launch a awareness campaign against homophobia and transphobia at school. “ATNo child should find suicide as the ultimate outcome (…) We know that with regard to heterosexual pupils, gay and lesbian students are four times more likely to attempt suicide, when it is eleven times more for young transsexuals. We must improve their reception by tackling even more strongly situations of mockery, violence and harassment.”indeed, indicated Pap Ndiaye, this February 1, 2023, in an interview granted to the site of the magazine Stubborn. This is the reason why THE Ministry of Education launched a awareness campaign focused on welcoming LGBT students and will take action on May 17, the international day against homophobia and transphobia.
What is homophobia at school?
During their schooling, pupils may be the object of insults or mockery, but also of harassment or physical violence because of their sexual orientation. Young gays, lesbians and bisexuals are the first victims of this homophobia, but boys or girls who move away from the norms linked to masculinity and femininity (a girl considered too sporty or a boy considered too sensitive) can also be affected. .
What are the figures for homophobia at school?
According to the report on LGBTIphobia in 2022 produced by SOS Homophobia, 62 cases of LGBTIphobia in schools or higher education have been reported to SOS homophobia in 2021. As in 2020, the vast majority of victims are minors (58%) and are mainly students (81%) in middle school (44% of cases) and high school (26% of cases). The proportion of cases concerning cis and trans women is greater than before. The aggressors are also mainly students (63%) but the hostility sometimes also comes from the management (26%) and teachers (21%). The group effect seems to aggravate LGBTIphobia: in more than one out of two cases, LGBTIphobic acts are committed by people in groups and in 23% of cases, the aggressor is a single man.
In 2019, the Ministry of National Education launched a national campaign intended to inform and raise awareness among middle and high school students and all professionals in educational establishments concerning homophobic and transphobic violence and discrimination. Associations are called upon to develop educational documents and lead intervention modules, during or outside school hours. This campaign aims to mobilize professionals in schools by encouraging them to support young LGBT people in the face of the difficulties they may encounter in the school environment, but also to fight against the invisibilization of these young people. The campaign also aims to promote solidarity, particularly between students, and initiatives against discrimination. Finally, the campaign promotes the zero tolerance for sexist and LGBTphobic slurs. It is based on the distribution to middle school and high school students of leaflets containing leads for them to engage on a daily basis alongside young LGBT people and the provision of a guide dedicated to the educational community and available on line.
What are the consequences for the child?
Harassment in all its forms, and therefore homophobia, has long-term consequences. “Adults who have been victims of real and lasting bullying in middle school, and to a lesser extent in primary school, have consequences. Harassment has left its mark on their self-esteem. These people are much more sensitive to the judgment of others and are much more prone to guilt and low self-esteem. They are very affected by the negative opinions of others and are more easily under the influence of people who criticize them or who want to take their place.“, explains Dr. Stéphane Clerget, child psychiatrist and author of the book How do we become homo or hetero? (Ed. JC Lattès).
“The harassment has left traces in the esteem they may have of themselves”.
What should I do if my child is a victim of homophobia at school?
The victim’s parents should try to detect signs of discomfort in their child who, very often and even more when he is in college, does not confide in the insults or homophobic acts of which he is the object. “It is necessary to identify disorders or discomfort: it can be a child who is sick all the time, who starts to do less well in school, who comes back with bruises or who is sad and who no longer wants to go to class” explains Dr. Clerget.. He recommends questioning those around him to find out if he is the victim of homophobic attacks. If the parents spot these signs, they can reassure the child about his normality and help him to decode where this homophobia comes from. “They must also take steps with the parents of students, the school and the police station if that is not enough. If you feel your child is too badly, you have to remove him from school while continuing to lead the battle with the establishment of origin”adds the specialist.
What to do about bullying students?
We are not born homophobic and it is generally the education received that is at the origin of homophobic remarks. Because according to the expert, in general, 90% of child abusers who repeatedly make homophobic remarks have parents who are.. “The work to fight against homophobia at school will not bear fruit if it is not accompanied by work to prevent homophobia with parents and national education staff, but also town halls which are in charge of extracurricular“, emphasizes Dr. Clerget.
- Listen against homophobia : 0 810 20 30 40 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. or on 01 41 83 42 81 (free depending on the package)
- Toll-free number “No to harassment” : 30 20 Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (except public holidays), and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Toll-free “Net Ecoute” number : 30 18 for digital child protection