Safe Schools examined in Tasmania

SINCE its release in 2014, schools, politicians, organisations and parents have been divided about the appropriateness and effectiveness of the Safe Schools program. 

The latest research found that out of 3134 same sex attracted and gender questioning young people, two thirds had experienced verbal abuse because of homophobia. 

About 80 per cent of this abuse happened at schools. 

The Safe Schools Coalition Australia has come under fire this month with critics citing that material  discussed in class was not age appropriate for younger students. 

A review, which was undertaken by University of Western Australia Emeritus Professor of Education Bill Louden, found there were concerns that needed to be addressed.

Since the review, changes have included having lesson plans amended, removing third party organisation branding, limiting the distribution of certain materials and ensuring parents are appropriately engaged with schools.

But as the debate continues, Tasmanians continue to express their views for and against the program. 

Launceston university student Zachary Williams, 19, only came out as bisexual after he finished school as he felt too unsupported throughout high school. 

He said that if he had access to a program such as Safe Schools, maybe things would have been different for his confidence. 

“The most information I got at high school was just a small portion of sexual education which mentioned gay people and didn’t really go much further – they just mentioned them but didn’t go into much detail,” Zachary said.

“It was sad because it was like we weren’t even considered important enough to even get a mention.

“I think Safe Schools is a brilliant program … the LGBTI community is bullied the most so a program to help get rid of a lot of that is positive.” 

Treasurer Peter Gutwein said last week that funding for the program would continue to come exclusively from the federal government.

Mr Gutwein said that the Tasmanian government is now working on developing its own overarching anti-bullying program, set to be rolled out next year.