Third of NI schoolchildren face sectarian threats

A new study has shown that one in three Northern Ireland children between the ages of 12 and 17 has experienced sectarian threats and verbal abuse by the time they leave school.

The report, by the University of Ulster, also shows that two out of three children from ethnic minorities have experienced racism.

A Protestant is a bad person - because they want to kill all Catholics Six-year-old girl quoted in University of Ulster report

The

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report was produced for Barnardos and the Save The Children Fund by UU academic Dr Paul Connolly.

"Discrimination is a real problem for children in Northern Ireland today," said Dr Connolly.

He said that children as young as three can hold strong, prejudiced views. "As parents and guardians, we must ensure that we try to deal with the prejudice and discrimination which can seriously effect our children’s development, growth and self-confidence. I hope this book will prove to be a useful tool for parents to do so," Dr Connolly.

The report gives examples of typical questions, which children may ask, covering areas such as disability, racism and sectarianism and suggests ways for parents to broach the subject of discrimination.

Some of the comments made by children quoted in the booklet make disturbing reading:

• "A Protestant is a bad person - because they want to kill all Catholics" (6 year old girl);

• "Catholics are the same as masked men, they smash windows" (4 year old girl);

• "Gypsies - they're all tramps, whores" (14 year old boy);

• "If you sit on a Chinese [person's] wall they come out with knives - they sit and stare at you and you're waiting for them to turn on you" (12 year old boy).

Ms Margaret Walsh, a parent from Derry who attending the report launch today, said: "It is very easy for all of us to put our heads in the sand and hope this problem will go away. It’s really important to be open with children and answer their questions honestly.

"Although we have differences, we have a lot in common regardless of class, culture, religion, language or ability. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start and this book has given me a lot of useful pointers," she said.

The booklet will be distributed widely in the North and will be publicised through libraries, GP surgeries, post offices and other outlets.