Awareness of human rights can combat homophobic bullying

A report released by the Youth Empowerment Project found punishing young people for expressing intolerant views towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is not effective.

Instead, the Empowering Young People To Tackle Homophobic Bullying report said promoting human rights education is more likely to have a positive effect.

Lewis Parle, the Youth Empowerment Project's leader, said punitive measures are not necessarily the best route forward. "It's a common theme," Parle said. "If all you're doing is punishing this behaviour, it doesn't lead to a greater understanding."

The research found that promoting equal human rights was more effective, as it created a new way of thinking for the young person. The project will now train six young people in human rights and ethics to work with a further 20 young people from various backgrounds about the issue and how it affects them. The team will use the findings to create policies to tackle homophobic bullying.

The London-based project is a young person-led research programme aiming to get young people interested in issues such as discrimination and bullying. It is led by Independent Academic Research Studies, a youth-led research and policy organisation that specialises in human rights, equalities and restorative justice.

Last week the project received £150,888 from volunteering charity v, to get more young people involved in their communities. The cash will create 150 volunteering opportunities for 16- to 25-year-olds and will enable young people to develop their leadership skills. Young people will gain first hand experience of working in research and policy fields as well as taking part in campaigns and awareness raising.

Meanwhile, a survey by the Intercom Trust has found that young lesbian and gay people in Devon want more effective ways of asking the police to deal with homophobic crime.

- www.cypnow.co.uk/docs.