Some 92 per cent of LGBT people in Malta said they witnessed negative comments or conduct during their schooling years because a schoolmate was perceived to be LGBT, according to a new report.
The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights’ (FRA) conducted the first online EU-wide survey to establish an accurate picture of the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their experiences with regard to fundamental rights. A total of 93,079 LGBT persons took part.
Asked about their experiences during childhood, more than eight in 10 respondents in each LGBT subgroup and in each EU member state have witnessed negative comments or conduct during their schooling because a schoolmate was perceived to be LGBT.
In other words, in all EU member states, more than 80 per cent of LGBT people surveyed have heard or seen negative comments or conduct towards a peer perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
Two thirds (68 per cent) of all respondents who answered the question say these comments or conduct have occurred often or always during their schooling before the age of 18.
The highest rates are in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Malta, Spain and the UK, FRA pointed out.
Two thirds (67 per cent) of all respondents say they often or always hid or disguised the fact they were LGBT during their schooling.
Bullying and violence in schools remains an important concern in the EU, FRA noted. Many member states have taken up the matter to address issues of school violence and bullying. For instance, the Netherlands’ Action Plan Against Bullying contains a proposal for an act that will oblige all primary and secondary schools to employ effective measures against bullying, ensure its monitoring and appoint a person who coordinates actions tackling the problem.
Research shows children are significantly more vulnerable to school violence if they belong or are perceived to belong to a minority group, such as migrant, Roma or LGBT children.
The UK’s main child helpline reported a 65 per cent increase in young people experiencing racist bullying.
A common theme was for young people to be called a “terrorist” or a “bomber”, and told to “go back to where they came from”. These constant insults left many young people feeling upset, insecure and frustrated.
The year 2013 was marked by steady support for political parties with largely xenophobic anti-foreigner, anti-migrant and anti-Muslim agendas in a number of EU member states, FRA said.
Groups campaigning on ultra-nationalist and xenophobic platforms initiated steps to be recognised as political parties in their own right, sometimes with success.
The rhetoric of these groups and parties often accuses European integration of further eroding national sovereignty.
It also highlights what they consider as the negative impact of social integration on national identity, with regard to accommodating the needs of religious minorities, such as Muslims.
The rhetoric used makes a case for national preference, including when it comes to access to the social welfare system.
Malta is highlighted as one of the countries where data collection on racist crimes is limited to a few incidents and, in general, not published.