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More than 5,500 sex attacks reported in schools with victims as young as five | More than 5,500 sex attacks reported in schools with victims as young as five |
(4 months later) | |
Thousands of children are sexually abused at school every year, an investigation has revealed. | Thousands of children are sexually abused at school every year, an investigation has revealed. |
More than 5,500 sex offences in schools across the UK were reported to the police in the last three years, including almost 4,000 indecent assaults and more than 600 rapes. | More than 5,500 sex offences in schools across the UK were reported to the police in the last three years, including almost 4,000 indecent assaults and more than 600 rapes. |
More than 1,500 victims were under 13 and most were primary and secondary school pupils rather than college students or teachers, an investigation by Radio 5 Live has found. | More than 1,500 victims were under 13 and most were primary and secondary school pupils rather than college students or teachers, an investigation by Radio 5 Live has found. |
One in five of the attacks were carried out by other children and in some cases the victim and abuser were both as young as five. | One in five of the attacks were carried out by other children and in some cases the victim and abuser were both as young as five. |
Jon Brown, head of sexual abuse programmes at the NSPCC, said: "These figures are very disturbing, especially as many victims are so young and the reported offences took place on school premises. | Jon Brown, head of sexual abuse programmes at the NSPCC, said: "These figures are very disturbing, especially as many victims are so young and the reported offences took place on school premises. |
"Sadly, we are not surprised as previous NSPCC research has illustrated the scale of abuse committed by young people. | "Sadly, we are not surprised as previous NSPCC research has illustrated the scale of abuse committed by young people. |
"We know that for some older children accessing hardcore pornography is warping their view of what is acceptable behaviour. | "We know that for some older children accessing hardcore pornography is warping their view of what is acceptable behaviour. |
"And the very young, those of primary school age or even younger, may be copying sexual activity they have witnessed." | "And the very young, those of primary school age or even younger, may be copying sexual activity they have witnessed." |
Chief Constable Simon Bailey, head of child protection at the National Police Chiefs Council, warned the problem may be even worse than the figures suggest. | Chief Constable Simon Bailey, head of child protection at the National Police Chiefs Council, warned the problem may be even worse than the figures suggest. |
He said: "I believe these figures are the tip of the iceberg. | He said: "I believe these figures are the tip of the iceberg. |
"It is good news that more victims have the confidence to come forward and report abuse, although - while I cannot prove this - I believe more child abuse is taking place. | "It is good news that more victims have the confidence to come forward and report abuse, although - while I cannot prove this - I believe more child abuse is taking place. |
"That includes children being raped on school premises." | "That includes children being raped on school premises." |
One victim, who asked not to be identified, said he was sexually assaulted in a classroom by three of his friends when he was 15. | One victim, who asked not to be identified, said he was sexually assaulted in a classroom by three of his friends when he was 15. |
He said: "My abusers were the most popular boys in the school, they played on all the sports teams. | He said: "My abusers were the most popular boys in the school, they played on all the sports teams. |
"The principal at the time tried to put it down to 'rugby locker-room banter' and didn't seem surprised at all." | "The principal at the time tried to put it down to 'rugby locker-room banter' and didn't seem surprised at all." |
A total of 60 children in England were expelled for sexual misconduct in schools in 2013/14, according to the Department of Education. | A total of 60 children in England were expelled for sexual misconduct in schools in 2013/14, according to the Department of Education. |
There were no exclusions in Wales and Scotland. Figures for Northern Ireland were not available. | There were no exclusions in Wales and Scotland. Figures for Northern Ireland were not available. |
Anne Longfield, Children's Commissioner for England, said schools and other adults working with children must be more alert to abuse taking place. | Anne Longfield, Children's Commissioner for England, said schools and other adults working with children must be more alert to abuse taking place. |
She said: "I want personal social health economic education with a relationships and sex component to be part of the national curriculum. | She said: "I want personal social health economic education with a relationships and sex component to be part of the national curriculum. |
"Every child needs to understand what is inappropriate or illegal behaviour." | "Every child needs to understand what is inappropriate or illegal behaviour." |
A Department for Education spokesman said statutory guidance is "crystal clear" that anyone with concerns about a pupil's welfare should "swiftly" refer it to local authorities or the police. | A Department for Education spokesman said statutory guidance is "crystal clear" that anyone with concerns about a pupil's welfare should "swiftly" refer it to local authorities or the police. |
The information was provided by UK police forces in response to a BBC 5 Live freedom of information request. | The information was provided by UK police forces in response to a BBC 5 Live freedom of information request. |
Additional reporting by PA | Additional reporting by PA |
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