Child on Child Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Primary Schools

'Sexual violence and sexual harassment can occur between two or more children of any age and sex, from primary through to secondary stage and into college. It can occur also through a group of children sexually assaulting or sexually harassing a single child or group of children.' KCSiE 2024

What might this look like in a primary setting?

🟣 Inappropriate touch

🟣 Pulling down or pulling up another child's clothing

🟣 Showing peivate parts to other children

🟣 Going into toilet cubicles together

🟣 Looking under toilet doors

🟣 Spreading sexual rumours

🟣 Commenting on another chld's physcial appearance

etc

Of course curiosity about bodies  and finding bodies and bodily functions interesting/amusing is part of normal child development. The point is not to demonsie a child, it's to educate them about keeping themself and others safe and about how to have resepctful relationships. Your response to a 4 year old asking to see another child's pants would be very different to a 10 year old doing the same. In the latter case, you would be confident that they have been repeatedly taight about the relevant boundaries and expectations of space.

How can we address this at primary level?

🟣 Make sure that there's strong awareness and understanding amongst staff
🟣 Remember that while it can happen to anyone, it's significantly more likely to happen to girls
🟣 Be alert to the signs
🟣 Don't accept sexualised or gender-biased 'banter', jokes or rumour spreading
🟣 Teach consent and respectful relationships effectively in an age-appropriate way from the start
🟣 React quickly when you see it happening and take it seriously

🟣 Work with parents on helping children to understand consent and respect

What is accepted at primary level will only escalate at secondary level.

⭐If you are a DSL within travelling distance to High Wycombe and would like to attend further training on this- go to this link to book: https://lnkd.in/eWGKXXzr

⭐ If you would like to book training in your own setting- please visit the website here: https://lnkd.in/eK2eWr6s

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Victoria Morris for Inspiring Futures Professional Development