Tackling sexual harassment in schools
We work with a wide range of subject experts who play a key role in contributing to, review, and endorsing our training. This ensures our courses are always accurate, up-to-date and of the highest quality.
Kidscape are the first charity in the UK established specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse. Kidscape endorse our Child Protection courses and are currently refreshing our Preventing Bullying course.
Kidscape CEO, Lauren Seager-Smith, has provided this blog on the topic of sexual harassment in schools which has received a lot of media interest recently.
Kidscape guest blog: Tackling sexual harassment in schools
There has been increased scrutiny around levels of sexual harassment in our schools, and as a charity that seeks to prevent all forms of bullying and harm, we are here to advise and support. Having worked for many years in bullying prevention, and as an advocate for children facing exclusion for sexual misconduct we need to do more to protect our children in this area. Both those on the receiving end and those displaying sexist or sexually aggressive behaviour need our support:
- Remember that first and foremost you are dealing with children, not with adults. Some behaviour will be learnt, and children will have different levels of physical and emotional maturity. Seek to understand what is driving the behaviour.
- Don’t think this only happens to girls. While girls are undoubtedly subjected to higher levels of harassment, boys can also be on the receiving end. This is particularly true for boys that are not seen to conform to ‘gender norms’. Sexual harassment is a common feature of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.
- Disabled pupils and those with special educational needs are significantly more likely to be sexually abused. Think very carefully about how to keep all children safe, prioritising sex and relationships education that is accessible to all pupils.
- Make sure all pupils understand what you expect of them. Spell out in an age and development appropriate way what sexism and sexual harassment looks like. Have a policy on touch and make this integral to your behaviour and safeguarding policies.
- Train staff to identify and respond to sexism and sexual harassment. This includes supporting staff to deal with sexist and sexual comments from pupils. Make sure your approach is shared and consistent.
- Look for trouble hot spots. Schools can be crowded places with lots of people packed into small spaces. Think about how to keep children safe in corridors and changing rooms.
- Take incidents of sexism and sexual harassment seriously. If it wouldn’t be allowed in the workplace, don’t allow it in your school. This includes ‘banter’ and pranks. It includes any inappropriate touching including pinging bra straps, pulling clothes up, down or off or making sexual gestures. Be vigilant and consistent.
By taking proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment we can help children develop a healthy attitude to one another and to relationships that lasts a lifetime.
For information and advice about all forms of bullying visit kidscape.org.uk
The Preventing Bullying training course on recognising and preventing bullying behaviour is part of the bestselling EduCare for Education® package, our comprehensive safeguarding service for education settings.
Return to news