I know from my own experience how hard it is for boys and men to speak out about this kind of stuff - thank goodness they feel able to contact ChildLine but how sad that they feel they can't talk to someone face to face. It strikes me that the stigma of "boys don't cry" is obviously still alive and well - we desperately need to be doing something to change this.
TUESDAY - I visit the Atkinson Secure Unit in Exeter to discuss developing an equality scheme. It's the first time I've been and once I've got through the locked gates and into the building I am immediately struck by how bright, welcoming and young people-centred it is. The staff are really warm and I am shown round the unit by the manager and meet some of the young people. I can't help feeling emotional as I leave, remembering the young people I have worked with in the past who have gone into secure accommodation, sometimes to stop them harming others but, just as often, themselves.
WEDNESDAY - Read about a new report called Care and Prejudice, published by the Children's Rights Director for England, Roger Morgan. It talks about how half of children in care feel different to other children and worry about being judged and bullied. This reminds me of my work in Southampton, where our children in care often talked about feeling that society looked down on them.
THURSDAY - Visit our local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth group to help it develop a project to tackle homophobic bullying in schools. As we talk, some of the young people describe their own experiences. Not easy stuff to hear but so great that they feel able to go in to schools and talk from first-hand experience.
FRIDAY - Early finish today and off to Dublin for the weekend. Got all next week off too, yippee! I doubt I'll be back to work with that tan I was promised I'd get in Devon though.
Jeanie Lynch is lead officer for equality in children and young people's services at Devon County Council. She is also a freelance trainer and writer
