Call for mandatory reporting to be introduced in schools to prevent abuse.
Our Specialist Abuse lawyer, Danielle Vincent, said:
“A thorough investigation must be carried out into the recent allegations of sexual abuse within schools. As lawyers, we welcome the fact that this very serious issue is getting the attention it needs.
But while we applaud Ofsted’s response that they will investigate such matters, we have long argued for mandatory reporting to be introduced to prevent abuse happening in the first place.
Thousands of pupils have come forward describing abusive behaviour that has been going on for generations, passing down from year group to year group, almost as a rite of passage for attending schools. Pupils have described how assaults have become ‘normalised’ preventing victims from coming forward to disclose their abuse. This cycle must be broken, and perpetrators brought to account.
Every child should feel safe within their school environment. Every parent should feel confident their child is safe when in the care of their education provider. There should be clear boundaries and processes to report any form of abuse. Every allegation made should be fully investigated, and police involvement instigated.”
The following organisations are available to contact for support:
- Victim Support Line: Offering emotional and practical support for anyone who has been a victim of crime. Telephone: 0808 1689 111 victimsupport.org.uk
- Rape Crisis: Services for women and girls who have been raped or have experienced sexual violence – 0808 802 9999 www.rapecrisis.org.uk
- Survivors UK: Offers support for men and boys – 0203 598 3898 www.survivorsuk.org
- NSPCC: help@nspcc.org.uk 0808 800 5000
- Child Line: www.childline.org.uk/0800 1111
- NAPAC: Offers support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse. www.napac.org.uk
