Committee launches sexual harassment inquiry

The House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee has launched an investigation into the scale and impact of sexual harassment and violence in schools.

A report, ‘The trouble with… Sex in schools’, warns that such behaviour and occurrences are becoming the ‘new social norm’ and that schools and those working within them need to ‘face up to it’.

Having interviewed 300 young people aged 16 to 25, the charity Fixers, who undertook the study, found that 27 per cent of young people said they had felt pressured into sexting, sexual activity, drinking alcohol or taking drugs while in or around school; 34 per cent did not feel safe walking to and from school; and 12 per cent had been sexually assaulted.

The report warns that many students believe that their schools do not recognise the pressures they face concerning sexual harassment and that many feel that incidents are left unreported for fear of punishment and any other repercussions.

Malcolm Trobe, interim general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "Sexual harassment and sexual violence are completely unacceptable and are not tolerated.

"Where there are incidents, we would urge students and parents to report them immediately so that action can be taken. We welcome the committee's inquiry as any information about this important issue is extremely useful in helping to tackle the problem."

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, also commented: “Teachers are aware of the struggle many students go through as a result of this pressure, but much is unreported. Schools do what they can to ensure that students feel both emotionally and physically safe but pressure in relation to these behaviours cannot be ignored.

“As today’s report highlights, the pressures young people face are not going away. It is therefore vital that personal, social and health education (PSHE) and age-appropriate sex and relationships education (SRE) becomes mandatory in schools. This will give the time and space and indeed permission to discuss matters relating to sex and gender identity as well as sexual relationships.

“PSHE provides schools with the opportunity to reinforce positive messages regarding pupils’ well-being and safety, both on and off line. It is therefore extraordinary that government continues to refuse to make it compulsory. This is letting our students down and needs to be urgently rectified.”