Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children and young people experience high levels of bullying and exclusion in schools, have lower attainment levels and are among those most likely to be excluded from school.
The Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people consulted with by the Anti-Bullying Alliance reported:
- a lack of understanding and visibility of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller histories and cultures in school.
- being negatively labelled, judged and having presumptions made about them being trouble-makers or not willing to learn.
- they felt they were treated differently from other pupils and could not access additional support when they needed it.
- racist and offensive language about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and communities was going unchallenged.
- not being believed when they report bullying.
- presumptions made about them having a tendency to bully others.
- feeling they had to retaliate or hide that they are Gypsy, Roma or Traveller.
- they had learned to expect bullying because no action was being taken to prevent or respond to it.
Based on the feedback from the young people, the organisation has developed a school audit and action planning tool.