New survey finds more than 60 per cent of young LGBT people have experienced suicidal thoughts
The Annual Bullying Survey 2018 published the results this week
By Steve Brown
A new survey has found more than 60 per cent of the young LGBT community have experienced suicidal thoughts.
The Annual Bullying Survey 2018 published their results this week and based on the 9,000 young people questioned in the UK, the survey found 43 per cent were victims of bullying within the 12 months alone.
More worryingly, 62 per cent of those experienced suicidal thoughts as a result of the bullying.
Liam Hackett, CEO of Ditch the Label, said: “Unfortunately, bullying remains a real issue in the UK with anyone identifying as LGBT+ among the worst affected.
“LGBT+ young people are further affected by the impact of heteronormativity within wider society.”
The results also found that 31 per cent of LGBT+ people had attempted suicide and 51 per cent admitted to self-harming.
Up to 10 per cent of respondents revealed bullying was happening on a daily basis and more than half said they thought they were being bullied because of their appearance.
While one in five said they were accused of being gay or lesbian when they weren’t.
Hackett adds: “Bullying is having a real effect on young people’s lives, which is why we created Ditch the Label.
“We want to promote equality and give young people the confidence to overcome the devastating effects of bullying by providing the best emotional, psychological and physical support possible.”
More than 30 per cent of those who have witnessed bullying admitted to ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ interfering to stop it happening.
The survey also found that 59 per cent of people were being bullied by a classmate and 33 per cent from a former friend. Around 29 per cent were being bullied from a current friend.
Anne Longfield, The Children’s Commissioner for England, said: “It is worrying that one in five children are experiencing some form of bullying.
“The impact bullying has on children can be enormous, affecting a child’s confidence, self-esteem and their mental health.
“Ditch the Label’s survey shows how bullying is blighting the lives of hundreds of thousands of children.”