Peer on Peer Abuse - Harmful Sexual Behaviours

Statement on Sexual Abuse in Schools from Rosehill Schools Headteacher.

Rosehill School is deeply saddened to read the testimonies of the victims of sexual harassment and abuse that have been published as part of the Everyone’s Invited movement https://www.everyonesinvited.uk/ Our thoughts are with those young people and the victims who have been able to tell their story.

We are committed to ensuring that all our young people can learn in schools that are safe. Our safeguarding practices are extensive and rigorous. We will not normalise or trivialise abusive behaviour.

All our staff are trained to respond to safeguarding concerns, including allegations against other young people. Staff receive additional training and support to ensure that safeguarding is woven through every aspect of school life and that all concerns are managed effectively and thoroughly.

Our curriculums are designed to support our young people to engage in healthy, respectful friendships and to understand that no means no.

Our culture ensures that young people can raise concerns and are supported; confident that they will be believed and acted upon without repercussion or adverse consequence. Our Student Council and Class Ambassadors further promote the importance of Pupil Voice and have helped devise displays within all classrooms delivering key messages and offering guidance and support. 

We recognise the vulnerabilities of our young people and endeavour to ensure that we provide them a school that is open, honest, inclusive, respectful, and supportive. We extend this commitment to our families and the communities we serve.

Cheryl Steele

Headteacher

Peer on peer sexual abuse and harassment

This helpline provides both children and adults who are potential victims of sexual abuse in schools with the appropriate support and advice. This includes how to contact the police and report crimes if they wish. The helpline also provides support to parents and professionals. See section 21 on our safeguarding policy for our procedures. 

Peer on peer sexual abuse and harassment is not acceptable and not tolerated. Sexual harassment refers to unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that occurs online or offline. Sexual harassment violates a pupil’s dignity and makes them feel intimidated, degraded or humiliated, and can create a hostile, sexualised or offensive environment. If left unchallenged, sexual harassment can create an atmosphere that normalises inappropriate behaviour and may lead to sexual violence.

Sexual harassment could include:

• Sexual comments.
• Sexual “jokes” and taunting.
• Physical behaviour, such as deliberately brushing against another pupil
• Online sexual harassment, including non-consensual sharing of images and videos and consensual sharing of sexual images and videos (often known as sexting), inappropriate comments on social media, exploitation, coercion and threats

'STOP IT NOW' are a child protection charity who work to prevent child sexual abuse by making sure adults know what they can do to keep children safe. Through their anonymous and confidential online advice and self-help resources they can help you:

• If you’re worried about your own thoughts or behaviour
• If you’re worried about another adult’s behaviour
• If you’re worried about a child or young person’s behaviour
• If you want information on how to keep children safe offline and online