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Teachers report student-on-student sexual assaults in their schools

Safeguarding PSHE Pupil wellbeing Pastoral issues
One in eight teachers report that a student in their secondary school has committed a sexual assault against another student in the last term.
Urgent: Research involving 4,717 secondary teachers working in schools in England found that 13% report a child sexually assaulting another child in their school during the autumn term 2024 - Adobe Stock

A research report from the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) is calling for urgent prevention work in schools, including the appointment of a dedicated lead professional to prevent violence against women and girls.

There is also a need, the YEF says, for staff training, including to deliver effective relationships, health and sex education (RSHE).

A Teacher Tapp survey commissioned by the YEF and involving 4,717 secondary teachers working in schools in England found that 13% report a child sexually assaulting another child in their school in the autumn term 2024.

Another Teacher Tapp survey of 6,338 teachers in January found that 55% say they lack the confidence to deliver RSHE, 27% do not feel confident teaching students how to leave unhealthy relationships, and 45% lack confidence in teaching young people how to intervene if they witness a sexual assault.

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