Sexual Harassment And Gender Based Violence In Schools
WHAT IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT?
Sexual harassment is unwelcome attention and behaviour of a sexual nature towards an individual. It can be direct, indirect, online and through social media.
Sexual harassment can leave an individual feeling scared, humiliated, and intimidated.
WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN A SCHOOL?
The following behaviours count as sexual harassment:
- Looking up someone’s skirt.
- Unwanted sexual touching
- Sexual suggestions and comments
- Sexual taunting
- Sexual advances
- Pressuring someone to have sex
- Repeatedly sending of nude photos
- Repeatedly asking of nude photos
WHAT IS GENDER BASED VIOLENCE (GBV)?
Gender based violence is abuse and violence perpetrated by one gender against another and encompasses rape, sexual assault, domestic violence and abuse.
Under the sexual offences act 2003 sexual violence is a criminal offence.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR THE SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT 2003
HOW CAN A SCHOOL HELP CHILDREN WITH SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE?
It is mandatory now for all schools to teach relationship education to primary school children and relationship and sex education to all secondary school children. Secondary school lessons go over subjects such as ‘what is sexual consent?’ and ‘what is harassment?’. These lessons emphasise how to have healthy and safe relationships.
Schools should have a child protection policy in place. This policy should include:
- The aim of this policy which is to promote the child’s welfare.
- Procedures that have been put in place to protect children from sexual harassment.
- What staff should do when they are notified of an incident(s)
- What staff should not do when they are notified of an incident(s)
- The policy should discuss physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR PASTORAL CARE & SCHOOL CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR SEXTING
WHAT HELP CAN YOU RECEIVE IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD ARE A VICTIM OF A SEXUAL BASED CRIME?
There is support and help available for you if you are a victim of crime.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR GET SUPPORT AS A VICTIM OF CRIME.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR WHERE CAN YOU REACH OUT TO GET HELP IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD IS A VICTIM OF CRIME
WHO CAN YOU REPORT SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE TO?
You can call the police – You can dial 999 if you or your child is at risk or a crime has been committed. Alternatively if there is no emergency you can dial 101 or file a report online.
LINK TO POLICE WEBSITE TO REPORT A CRIME ONLINE
LINK TO POLICE WEBSITE FOR WHAT IS WHAT IS STALKING AND HARASSMENT
You can contact Crimestoppers – You can report a crime anonymously to crimestoppers. Their telephone number is 0800 555 111
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR CRIMESTOPPERS.
WHERE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
You can contact NSPCC – If your child has suffered sexual harassment and gender based violence you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns. If the child is in danger they will call the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns that your child is being sexually harassed or suffering from gender based violence .
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact SAMARITANS – The samaritans are a free organisation that you can talk to about sexual harassment and gender based violence. Call their helpline on 116 123. They are available 24 hours a day. You can email them, chat online or write them a letter.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SAMARITANS – CONTACT US
You can contact SUPPORTLINE – Supportline can provide confidential emotional support over the phone for sexual harassment and gender based violence. Their helpline number is 01708 765 200. You can also email them.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SUPPORTLINE – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact VICTIM SUPPORT – Victim support is a charity that can help individuals who have been the victim of a crime. They have a free confidential support telephone line and live chat. They are independent of the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR VICTIM SUPPORT – CONTACT US
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE 16 – CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
You can read our help guide for where you can reach out to get help if your child is a victim –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR WHERE CAN YOU REACH OUT TO GET HELP IF YOUR CHILD IS A VICTIM
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child has suffered from sexual harassment and gender based violence and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.