Experts are advocating for a broader and more compassionate approach to tackling sexual harm among children, particularly within school environments. A paediatrician specialising in the care of sexually abused children highlighted that 30% of children her organisation supports were harmed by other children. This data was shared with the Children's Commissioner in their 2023 report on the impact of pornography on harmful sexual behaviour.
The paediatrician argued that solutions go beyond promoting sex and relationships education, online safety laws, and improving criminal justice. Instead, they suggest children need to be raised in emotionally available family units and wider societies, with their voices valued and equality promoted.
Donna Hill, Head of Coram SCARF, emphasised the critical preventative role of schools through high-quality, evidence-informed relationships, sex, and health education. This education should begin in primary school, teaching children about boundaries, bodily autonomy, respect, and empathy, before progressing to consent, healthy relationships, and online harms in secondary school.
Both experts suggest that harmful sexual behaviour by children towards other children requires more thought, nuance, compassion, and care, with prevention being a fundamental part of the solution.