School Bullying of LGBTQ+ Youth Sees a Disturbing Increase, Reports Seta
In a sobering revelation, Seta, Finland’s leading non-governmental organization advocating for sexual and gender minorities, has reported a slight uptick in bullying incidents targeting what it calls “rainbow youth” in schools. This conclusion comes from the latest school health survey released by Finland’s public health authority, THL.
The data highlights a concerning trend: the experiences of harassment, discrimination, and violence among LGBTQ+ youth have not only persisted but, alarming, have risen marginally from last year. The survey draws attention to those in 8th and 9th grades, revealing that around 22% of students identifying as gender minorities and 16% of those from sexual minorities faced bullying at least weekly during the academic year.
In light of these findings, Seta is urging immediate action to enhance the well-being of these vulnerable children and teenagers. Young people within the LGBTQ+ community are reportedly subjected to bullying at rates two to three times higher than their peers. The most frequently reported forms of mistreatment include derogatory name-calling, shaming gestures, spreading falsehoods, and outright exclusion from peer groups.
Teija Ryhtä, an advocacy expert from Seta, emphasized the gravity of the situation in a recent statement. “It is truly alarming that the experiences of harassment and discrimination among rainbow youth in schools have become more common,” she stated. Ryhtä further asserted the potential life-threatening consequences of bullying, observing that hate speech and discrimination appear to be on the rise within Finnish society overall.
While the news on bullying is disheartening, Seta also notes a glimmer of hope found in the THL research. The survey indicates a slight decline in reported feelings of loneliness among LGBTQ+ youth over the past year, alongside an increase in overall life satisfaction. In 2022, 46% of sexual-minority youth and 40% of gender-minority youth expressed satisfaction with their lives, representing an improvement from 42% and 35%, respectively, two years prior.
As these complex issues unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that comprehensive support systems and targeted interventions are essential for fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for all students, particularly those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.