Commenting on Ofsted’s review into sexual harassment and abuse in
schools, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the
NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union, said:
“No child should ever feel that when they report sexual
harassment or abuse they will not be listened to or that issues
will be swept under the carpet.
“Today’s report highlights the need for schools to be better
supported to focus their actions on creating a climate and
culture within schools where sexual harassment or sexual abuse,
whether onsite or online, are not tolerated.
“Survivors of sexual abuse must also be fully supported, and
schools will need to be provided with better resources and access
to specialist services to help tackle the problem
“It is also clear that the Government should establish a robust
statutory framework to ensure that pupils are better protected
from abuse.
“Tackling these unacceptable behaviours will mean better support
for children, young people and their families at home, in
communities, as well as within schools.
“However, schools cannot eradicate these problems alone; a joined
up approach is needed, locally and nationally, involving local
authorities and other agencies working alongside schools to help
foster the changes needed and to better support pupils who are at
risk.
“We also know that many teachers are frequently subjected to
sexual harassment and abuse from the students they teach or from
parents. Pupils will not have safe spaces to learn where their
teachers are made to feel unsafe, demeaned or violated sexually.
“Determined action and cultural change is needed to make schools
and colleges safe places for pupils to learn and staff to work.
“The provision of high quality mandatory training for governing
bodies and school staff will also be important in helping to
foster the conditions in which pupils and staff are confident to
report incidents of sexual abuse.
“Government must also take stronger action to better regulate
social media sites to better protect pupils from sexual abuse at
school and at home.”
