Scottish Catholic Observer

The study by charity Action for Children, found half of respondents said they witnessed acts of sectarianism ‘on a regular basis’ and also found that 44 per cent of teenagers and young adults believe that sectarian views come from within households rather than via religious beliefs

The survey of 114 youngsters aged between 14 and 20 said that the SNP’s Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill ‘will not bring an end’ to religious prejudice.

It found that 47 per cent of those surveyed believed that even imposing tougher sentences would not be enough and 62 per cent thought that primary and secondary schools should take more action to prevent bigotry.

Paul Carberry, operational director of children’s services in Scotland at Action for Children, said the survey was worrying.

“These findings paint a worrying picture of how sectarianism is directly affecting young people right now and the problem appears to be getting worse,” he said. “We believe that the Scottish Government should listen to young people’s voices when making decisions about how to handle sectarian behaviour at football matches.”

Peter Kearney, director of the Scottish Catholic Media Office, said the survey raised some interesting points.

“As people experiencing the issues first-hand, they have to play a role in creating long-lasting solutions,” he said. “This is difficult sometimes for politicians to grasp, but bigotry and sectarianism is bred in homes, not taught in schools. If the parents are wrong, if they are racist or sexist or bigots or obese, or whatever it might be, it will be passed on and it is wishful thinking to think that the schools can somehow prevent that.”

PIC: AISLINN RITCHIE