A Guardian investigation has found that child-on-child sexual abuse continues unabated in schools across England and Wales. This comes 10 years after a report by MPs on the women and equalities committee first revealed the extent of sexual bullying, harassment, and abuse faced by girls in English schools.
The current investigation, based on freedom of information requests, captures only the most serious incidents reported to police. However, interviews with experts, lawyers, and campaigners suggest that many more cases go unreported, often because the children involved are below the age of criminal responsibility.
Andrew Lord, a partner at Leigh Day solicitors specialising in abuse claims, stated that the impact on victims can last for years, with many experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. He noted that while schools are adept at handling physical fights, sexual assault cases present a different challenge. Lord is currently representing a secondary school pupil seeking a claim against their school for alleged failure to protect them from sexual and physical assaults by fellow pupils.
Richard Scorer, another lawyer dealing with civil claims from sexual abuse, observes an increase in such cases, potentially linked to greater awareness and the pervasive nature of online pornography among teenage boys. He notes that schools may struggle to respond due to the scale of the problem and the resource-intensive nature of safeguarding.
Tony Hartney, a school improvement consultant, acknowledged improved awareness and willingness to address these issues in schools, but described them as "tricky" to manage. He highlighted the challenge of ensuring both children involved can continue their education while investigations are ongoing.