Peer on Peer Abuse Harmful Sexualised Behaviour July 2019

Peer on Peer abuse Peer on peer abuse describes any type of abuse that is perpetrated by one CYP (under 18) on another CYP (under 18). Peer on peer abuse can take place in any context and within any type of relationship between the two CYP affected (for example (but not limited to) families, friends, acquaintances, strangers) WMRSASC Working definition (2019)

Harmful Sexualised Behaviour HSB is developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviour that is displayed by CYP and which may be harmful or abusive to either another person or the CYP that is displaying that behaviour. It can be displayed towards younger children, peers, older children or adults. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/healthy-sexual-behaviour-children-young-people/ https://www.brook.org.uk/our-work/the-sexual-behaviours-traffic-light-tool

Peer on Peer Abuse - Definitions Domestic abuse – young people who experience physical, emotional, sexual and/or financial abuse, and coercive control, in their intimate relationships, as well as family relationships. Child sexual exploitation – those under the age of 18 who are sexually abused in the context of exploitative relationships, contexts and situations, by a person of any age, including another young person. Serious youth violence – any offence of most serious violence or weapon-enabled crime, where the victim is aged 19 or younger, e.g. wounding with intent, rape, murder and grievous bodily harm. Harmful sexual behaviour – young people displaying sexual behaviours that are outside of developmentally ‘normative’ parameters. The term ‘child’ refers to any young person under 18 years old.

Peer on Peer Abuse Rates of violence are higher for girls in England than in any other country. 1 in 3 girls have experienced sexual violence from a partner before they turn 18 years old. 4 in 10 teenage girls have experienced sexual coercion when they have been aged between 13 and 17 years old. One in five girls in England have suffered physical violence from their boyfriend. 48 percent of girls have experienced instances of emotional and online abuse from their partners. Young people have reported that physical, sexual and emotional abusing, as well as being abused by their peers, is a means of survival in gang affected neighbourhoods. Two thirds of contact sexual abuse experienced by children under the age of 17 was perpetrated by someone under 18 years old. Almost a third of girls aged between 16 and 18 years old have been subjected to unwanted sexual touching in UK schools. https://hub4leaders.co.uk/learning-hub/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-peer-on-peer-abuse/

Two Sides to Every Story Vulnerability? Risk? The victim is not the problem here, the offender is’ - Jessica Eaton, 2018 https://victimfocus.wordpress.com/ How are we preventing sexual violence and abuse? What happens to the perpetrators?

https://www.tes.com/news/i-was-sexually-assaulted-school-when-i-was-12-here-my-story 5/5/19 https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/24/school-pays-thousands-to-former-pupil-over-handing-of-claim https://www.tes.com/news/exclusive-school-failed-protect-girl-pupil-double-rape-charge 24/5/19

Findings Lack of knowledge from CYP around consent and HSB Specialist SV ethically delivered education has led to disclosures Education for teaching staff prior to programme being delivered Misunderstanding of developmentally appropriate behaviour & minimising HSB Myths and stereotypes – teacher responses skirt length is not a safeguarding issue Responses tend to be perpetrator focused – character/reputation prioritised Responses vary from school to school and within years. Little onward information between schools regarding risk Criminal Justice System dependent Most common response is that Victim leaves the school Little evidence of assessment of risk of/to perpetrator or other CYP Inappropriate referrals Multi-agency response

Next Steps WMRSASC/Purple Leaf HSB service 19/20 launch Continued engagement with Dept of Education Commitment to work with willing partners Harmful Sexualised Behaviour Audit https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/2019/harmful-sexual-behaviour-framework/ Pathway & Support for CYP displaying HSB Risk & referral pathway for sexual violence Inclusion of CSA in all strategies, linking to ACE’s

Contacts Jocelyn.anderson@wmrsasc.org.uk referrals@wmrsasc.org.uk www.wmrsasc.org.uk (online referral) Helpline 01905 724514 Main Office 01905 611655 office@wmrsasc.org.uk