Gay student safety fear

Vanessa De Groot

November 03, 2006 11:00pm
Article from: The Courier-Mail

KEITH Phillips once told his teacher he would die for the right "to be himself".
The Year 10 Alexandra Hills State High School student is openly gay and says Year 12 students have bullied and taunted him with verbal abuse.

Yesterday Keith, 15, missed school because of a warning of possible violence.

Keith's mother Trudy Lillicrap said the school had called her on Thursday night asking her to ensure Keith took the next day off because the school had received information his safety was under threat from a group of Year 12 students.

Although unsure if he would return to school, Keith said he was willing to face the situation. "I'm not going to sit at home and hide . . ." he said. Ms Lillicrap said that she was worried the boys would not face any consequences because it was the end of the school year.

"I'm really glad they (the school) rang me . . . but . . . there was nothing done," Ms Lillicrap said.

She said the school simply told her it was watching a handful of students and feared what would happen if Keith appeared at school.

Have Your Say
Latest Comments:

    I think that Alexandra Hills State High School has seriously failed in their role, for duty of care.

    The school is yet to adress the issue with any students, the police were called into the school because of "food throwing" that day. What do we think that food throwing is more of an offence then threatening to "bash the crap" out of a student?

    Are we raising our children and setting society up for a massive fight at the end of every year 12. The boys that threatened this have gotten of "scott-free" there were no reprocussions for their actions. They were shown that obviously the Education Department and the Education Minister deem it acceptable for this type of behaviour to occur not only in the schoolyard but also in the "real world" when they leave school. And by the Education Department and Minister deeming this as acceptable what else will they deem acceptable on behalf of our "Smart State" bashing students because you are bored, because they looked at you once.

    Obviously this is ridiculous that students should be allowed to make these "threats" and actually plan to carry them out, and because it's the end of the year they are let off.... In the workplace are you allowed to run around and bash people because it's their last day.

    I think more should be done, because frankly this is clearly unnaceptable.

    (and yes I am the student in the article)
    Posted by: Keith Phillips of Alexandra Hills State High School 2:39pm November 09, 2006 

    I think it's important to point out that the Queensland Government reports same sex attracted young people are 3.7 times more likely to attempt or commit suicide than their heterosexual counterparts (Queensland Government, Reducing Suicide : The Queensland Government Suicide Prevention Strategy 2003 ¿ 2008, 2003). In addition, a national report (2005) conducted by La Trobe University states;44% of same sex attracted young people experienced verbal abuse, 16% physicall abuse and 38% unfair treatment of interpersonal homophobia. 74% of same sex attracted young people experienced this treatment in the school enviroment. It is of concern for our society that we still at times tent to protect the perpetrators of violence ( in this case confirmed by the principle of the School) as opposed to adressing the underlining issues and and the victims right to access safe education, particulary when this young man is couragous enough to identify and verbalise the injudice. As a society we rely on parents to protect and teach their children values, morals and responsible behaviour, this mum is an asset to her son and a role model for other parents who are struggling with similar issues. We know of many parents and young people who have changed schools and or left school as an avenue of safetyfor themselves and their children. Eduation Queensland has legal responsibility to ensure the safetly of 'all' students, protecting their right for a violance free education. Not by ecouraging the victim to stay home, but by enforcing the bullying policy and dealing with the perpetrators.

    Nerida Ackerman
    Posted by: Nerida Ackerman of Fortitude Valley 10:09am November 09, 2006 

    In melboure two weeks ago there was an incident with a group of boys bullying and assulting a young girl for a video. Information came to light that parents and others knew about what they were doing and did NOTHING. The same thing is happening here. A Big congratulations to Keith for being a proud young gay man with courage. It's because of young men like him that the gay community has come so far and will continue to do so.
    Posted by: scott of melbourne 5:13pm November 06, 2006 

    I am deeply offended at the way channel ten has portrayed the school of Alexandra Hills. This school has i high standing in the community and shouldn't be judged by a byas network. The way i see it is the media should never have got involved. This younge gay boy has gone and squealed to the media. The only thing hes done for himself is make the situation worse by tarnishing his friends and teachers reputation who attend Alexandra Hills High.
    Posted by: Chris Face of Alexandra Hills 4:02pm November 06, 2006 

    Surely it should be the bashers who get punished and kept out of school - not the person who is getting bashed? Why would it be any different just because the kid was gay?

    I think the school needs to decide whether violence is acceptable within the school - maybe they think it's OK behaviour in some situations?
    Posted by: Simon Matthews of Nambour 2:57pm November 06, 2006 

    Duty of care to students ignored

    Queensland Schools have a legal requirement to ensure that school environments are non-discriminatory and safe environments for all students.

    A Latrobe University study showed that young gay and lesbian students are subjected to high levels of violence, verbal abuse and bullying within schools. Sixteen per cent of young gay and lesbian people have been physically assaulted because of their sexuality and almost half had been verbally abused or bullied. The great majority of this abuse occurred within schools.

    Discrimination and homophobia are serious matters in school communities. Research shows that issues relating to sexuality and sexual identity cause emotional turmoil for many young people, leading to mental health problems including suicide. An Australian suicide study found that young gay men are 3.7 times more likely to commit suicide than young heterosexual men.

    Schools have a legal duty of care to ensure their students' safety and well-being. Given the reality of sexuality discrimination and abuse within schools, it is not an optional nicety for schools to respond, it is a legal requirement. We call on the Education Department to respond to these issues - by ignoring it the Queensland Government remains vulnerable to legal action from current and former students for the abuse they experienced while under its care.

    If Queensland is serious about being the Smart State, we should ensure our school curricula equips students for living in the real world, one that is rich in diversity, in which respect and acceptance are considered core life skills.
    Posted by: Troy Hakala of Annerley 1:57pm November 06, 2006 

    I truely admire Keith Phillips and his determination to be himself despite the hateful actions of his peers. His mother, Ms. Lillicrap, should be very prowd - she' s raised a good son.
    Posted by: Erin Peterson of Brisbane 8:26pm November 05, 2006