1. Are you seeing an increase in the number of incidents of child-on-child abuse in your
school or college?
If yes, we are keen to understand the types of incidents you are dealing with?
2. In relation to incidents where both the victim and perpetrator are in the same school or college, we understand that sharing classrooms can be an issue and are keen to understand the challenges around this.
Are there any examples of best practice you could share on handling such incidents?
3. Still thinking about child-on-child abuse responses, KCSIE is clear that where a child has been harmed, is at risk of harm, or is in immediate danger, schools and colleges should make a referral to local authority children’s social care. Any report to the police will generally be in parallel with a referral to local authority children’s social care. Are there any gaps we could address in the “Reporting to the police” section in Part five as currently drafted?
If yes, please expand:
4. As currently drafted are there any areas in Part 5 which could helpfully be clarified?
5. Terminology
Victim:
In KCSIE, we, in places, use the term ‘victim’. It is a widely recognised and understood term. It is important that schools and colleges recognise that not everyone who has been subjected to abuse considers themselves a victim or would want to be described in this way. Ultimately, schools and colleges should be conscious of this when managing any incident and be prepared to use any term with which the individual child is most comfortable.
Perpetrator/alleged perpetrator:
In KCSIE, we also, in places, use the term ‘alleged perpetrator(s)’ and where appropriate ‘perpetrator(s)’. These are widely used and recognised terms and the most appropriate to aid effective drafting of guidance. However, schools and colleges should think very carefully about terminology, especially when speaking in front of children, not least because in some cases the abusive behaviour will have been harmful to the perpetrator as well. As above, the use of appropriate terminology will be for schools and colleges to determine, as appropriate, on a case-by-case basis.
We are keen however to understand current practice in this space.
We would like to understand what terminology you use in your school or college for the phrase ‘victim’ and if this considers children’s views?
We would like to understand what terminology you use for the phrase alleged perpetrator/perpetrator’ in your school or college and if this considers children’s views?