Press Release: School Violence Prevention Act passed by General AssemblySafe Schools NC, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a safe and supportive school environment for NC's LGBTIQA students, responds to June 22nd's General Assembly vote of 58-to-57 in favor of the School Violence Prevention Act. "I'm pleased to see our General Assembly sending a clear message that all students should be safe in schools," said Safe Schools NC treasurer Hope Evey. "Especially given the movement to kill the entire bill because of the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity, I applaud every member who voted for this legislation."
Research coordinator Will Hall reports that previous studies of Triangle-based LGBTIQA students indicate that they experience high levels of hostility and pervasive harassment in schools. "Approximately 70% of respondants reported homophobic harassment in their schools. It is unfortunate that any student would experience harassment, and it appears that LGBTIQ students are particularly at risk," said Hall, who is currently undertaking Safe Schools NC's biannual school climate survey. "We also found that schools with policies that specifically prohibit harassment based on sexual orientation had lower rates of homophobic harassment, so the passing of this legislation brings hope for future improvement of the school climate for our youth."
Safe Schools NC urges Governor Bev Perdue to sign the bill and encourages local school systems to support the additional training of their administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, and staff about bullying and the special needs of their LGBTIQA students. Safe Schools NC is developing a training program to help support educators and school systems with their new mandate.
