Reported sexual offences recorded at schools in England rose by more than 15 per cent over the last three years, according to research using police data. Figures increased from 1,789 to 2,066, based on Freedom of Information requests submitted to police forces by Teneo International School, asking for offences recorded at school premises over the last three years.
Sharpest rises by region
The sharpest rises were recorded in schools in Nottinghamshire (+50%, 78 to 117) and Devon & Cornwall (+49%, 127 to 189). Greater Manchester (+31%) followed, with Northamptonshire (+24%), Suffolk (+18%), Leicestershire (+15%) and Merseyside (+14%) also reporting overall increases.
Of the 35 forces to respond, only 19 could provide offence data at all. Several, including the Metropolitan Police, Police Scotland and West Yorkshire, cited the cost of retrieving the statistics.
Interpreting the figures
Taryn Jankes, Chief Marketing Officer at Teneo International School, stressed the importance of interpreting the figures carefully. A rise in reported sexual offences does not necessarily mean more offences are taking place, she said, and pointed out that in recent years, following national conversations about harassment and abuse among young people, there is now stronger safeguarding in schools.
The group said awareness has grown, and more children feel able to report incidents that in the past may have gone unreported. Increased reporting was often a sign that safeguarding is working, not failing.
She told the Mirror: "The most honest way to read this is not as proof that more is happening, but that more is being said. For years, incidents like these went unreported, children didn't feel able to speak up, or weren't asked. New safeguarding duties are pushing schools to encourage exactly that reporting, so a rise in the numbers may well be a sign that culture is beginning to change. It isn't uniform, and it shouldn't be read as a scare."
"But it points clearly to where the work is: this is overwhelmingly about young people and their relationships with each other, and it shows how much education around consent and respect still needs to happen. These figures are a prompt to have a difficult conversation properly, not to panic, and not to look away."
Support and next steps
If you are worried about a child call the NSPCC Helpline’s trained helpline counsellors for 24/7 help, advice and support on 0808 800 5000 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk. Call Childline on 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk.
