Hundreds of reports of sexual abuse to us in a few months
s we approach the end of September, we hope children across the North East are settling back into the rhythms and routines of school life after the summer break, and are feeling optimistic about the year ahead.
But sadly, we know that some young people may find the thought of being back in the classroom worrying, because for some, the classroom is not the safe place it ought to be.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of children experience sexual abuse and harassment in schools across the region and the rest of the country.
Earlier this year, following an outpouring of testimonies from young people across the UK, the NSPCC and the Department
for Education set up the Report Abuse in Education helpline.
The helpline is a way for young people to report peeron-peer sexual abuse within schools, and allows our specially-trained practitioners to offer free and confidential advice and support to anyone who needs it.
In the five months since the helpline was set up, more than 650 people have reported incidents to us. Those incidents have included sexual name calling, unwanted sexual touching, sexual assault and even rape by other pupils, as well as online abuse and sharing nude images without consent.
More than 115 of these contacts were deemed serious enough to be referred to the police, local authorities or the NHS.
We have also spoken to adults who were abused in schools as children but did not feel they could report it at the time. This new helpline offers support which may not previously have been available, but is nonetheless essential.
Children should not have to fear this kind of behaviour anywhere, let alone in the classroom, but those who are unfortunate enough to experience it should not feel scared, powerless or guilty about it.
Help is available from the Report Abuse in Education helpline call 0800 136 663, or email help@nspcc.org.uk, and our specially trained Childline volunteers can be contacted around the clock on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk
Wherever abuse takes place and whoever the perpetrator is, abuse is never the victim’s fault and there’s always someone you can speak to for support.