Supporting girls and young women who have been sexually harassed, assaulted and abused

The Government have commissioned NSPCC to set up and run a helpline for children and young people: Report Abuse in Education which launched on Thursday 1 April and can be contacted by phone on 0800 136 663, or by emailing  help@nspcc.org.uk. Support will also be available for parents and professionals working with children and young people.

Existing separate statutory guidance for Relationships and Sex Education states that sexual violence and harassment “are not acceptable, will never be tolerated and are not an inevitable part of growing up”. It talks of the trauma experienced by the victims of such offences:

‘A victim of sexual violence is likely to be traumatised and, in some cases, may struggle in a normal classroom environment.’

Disclosing what has happened to them can be traumatic in itself.

Your school’s safeguarding policy and guidance, together with the DfE guidance, and that from charities such as The Survivor’s Trust, provide support for schools to manage a disclosure and to take the necessary subsequent actions.

https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/how-to-support-a-survivor

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sexual-violence-and-sexual-harassment-between-children-in-schools-and-colleges

These links provide further resources and CPD opportunities:

https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/now-i-can-breathe?tab=film

Amina tells the story of how she was sexually harassed over several years by other pupils, and describes the work she is doing now to help teachers put a stop to sexual harassment in their schools.

https://www.sec-ed.co.uk/best-practice/sexual-harassment-and-violence-what-can-schools-do-me-too-pshe-rse-bold-voices/

This has links to other organisations as well as bold voices.

https://www.boldvoices.co.uk/all-resources including posters and activities

https://www.boldvoices.co.uk/cpd-training for secondary school teachers and other staff

https://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/EVAW-Coalition-Schools-Guide.pdf

This guide from the End Violence Against Women Coalition has been designed to support school leaders in tackling violence against women and girls. The guide sets out the different forms of abuse and warning signs to look for, what good teaching in this area looks like, and how to get your whole school working towards ending abuse. The guide contains three documents:

1. Violence Against Women and Girls Factsheet: Key information for education staff to understand violence and abuse of girls (page 2)
2. Gold Standard Sex and Relationship Education: Principles and practices to prevent violence and abuse of girls (page 10)
3. A Whole School Approach: A template model for education establishments to prevent violence and abuse of girls (page 14)