Concerns raised over ‘X-rated play’ at school

Hundreds of schoolchildren are being disciplined for sexual harassment and misconduct each year.

Sexual behaviour intervention service STOP Trust had seen a ‘‘steady increase’’ in sexualised behaviour among children, ranging from sexually explicit comments to inappropriate touching or more severe transgressions, team leader Suzanne Alliston said.

She attributed the rise to ease of access to pornography and other graphic material – ‘‘we’re certainly seeing children at a younger age engaging in sexualised behaviour of concern’’ – for children as young as preschool age.

The reasons behind those behaviours were complex, Alliston said.

Fewer than 50 per cent of STOP’s young clients had suffered sexual abuse or other trauma in their past.

‘‘Mostly, [it’s about] not being able to manage difficult feelings or not being able to make friends. It’s not about having a sexual motivation. It’s about a lewd behaviour being a way to get attention or make a connection with people.’’

Ministry of Education data shows more than 300 children a year were stood down, suspended, excluded, or expelled from school for sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in 2016 and 2017.

The figures exclude incidents where the student was not stood down, and criminal behaviour, which is referred to police.

The number of disciplinary actions related to sexual misconduct, in particular, grew steadily over the last five years to more than 200 in 2017.

A Christchurch school was approached by STOP after a parent raised concerns about a boy’s ‘‘X-rated play’’.

The boy, now 12, had been ‘‘humping’’ her son. He was later alleged to have inappropriately touched five pupils throughout 2016 and 2017, some while visiting another school.

The Press is not naming the schools to protect the children involved.

In emails seen by The Press, the parent said her main concern was for the welfare of the other boy.

‘‘I was hoping that you could offer support to this child so he can be helped and learn how to be the 10 year old he is. I really do not feel comfortable with my child being exposed to X-rated play,’’ she wrote.

‘‘In an ideal world the children in the class would not have to be exposed to his behaviour but I know that is just life. However, they need to understand that it is not appropriate behaviour, especially in their age group.’’

The boy’s mother said her son had been sexually abused at a young age. The family had been to counselling and parenting courses, was involved with child mental health specialists, and visited a doctor almost monthly to try to understand his behaviour.

But she felt the school had not done enough. As of July, STOP was waiting for consent to gather more information from the school, which took until 18 months after the initial complaint to carry out a full investigation.

‘‘Children are very responsive to clear guidance.’’

STOP team leader Suzanne Alliston