New research from the Anti-Bullying Alliance and Stranmillis University College has revealed that sectarian bullying remains a "widespread" issue impacting children and young people in Northern Ireland.

The report, which surveyed school staff and young people, found incidents ranging from verbal abuse and physical violence to social exclusion, prompting Alliance Education Spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA to call for immediate and comprehensive action.

Speaking after the research findings were released, the Lagan Valley MLA stated: "Twenty-eight years after the Good Friday Agreement, this research clearly shows that while we have come a long way as a society, sectarianism is still widespread, even amongst new generations." She emphasised that "every child and young person deserves to grow up free from fear, violence, abuse and exclusion. Yet, this report shows that we clearly aren't doing enough."

Key findings from the research indicate that 28% of children and young people involved in the study reported experiencing sectarian bullying. Furthermore, a significant 95% of the 100 school staff surveyed believe sectarian bullying is still a relevant issue for children. Ms Guy described these statistics as "concerning." The report also highlights a critical gap in data collection. While the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 requires schools to record all bullying incidents, including their motivation, the Department of Education does not currently collate this data. "We don't know if this is always being done, and the Department does not collate this data, which would allow them to see trends and to respond appropriately," Ms Guy noted.

Ms Guy pledged to "continue to call for additional support for schools and young people in reporting and dealing with bullying incidents." However, she stressed that the problem extends beyond school gates: "this isn't just about tackling sectarianism in schools, it's about how sectarianism is deeply embedded in our society and is passed down through generations."

To effectively address the issue, Ms Guy called for a broader, cross-community, and joint-departmental commitment. She urged the Executive to adopt a comprehensive approach that incorporates the report's recommendations. These recommendations include "long-term partnerships between schools and community organisations, enhanced training for the children's workforce, and improved engagement with parents and families."

The "All Together" project, which produced this research, aims to develop a better understanding of sectarian bullying and provide resources for the children's workforce. The findings underscore that sectarian bullying often occurs in schools, public spaces, and online, and that young people can become desensitised to sectarian abuse, leading to underreporting. The research strongly suggests that breaking inter-generational cycles of hatred requires shared education, open dialogue, and comprehensive historical and social context within curricula.