Billy (not his real name) had a difficult time adjusting to secondary school. Initially, he faced teasing from one boy, but it quickly escalated to a group of four boys targeting him. The bullying soon turned physical, and eventually, Billy was subjected to sexual assault. The group would trap him in the restroom and sexually touch him. As a result, Billy’s mental well-being declined rapidly. He is now receiving education at home and experiences anxiety when leaving the house.
Billy is getting help from Embrace, a non-profit organization that aids children who have suffered from crime. He reports feeling more resilient, and his parents have noticed a decrease in his panic attacks and nightmares due to the assistance he is receiving. Unfortunately, what Billy went through is part of a growing concern known as “peer-on-peer abuse,” which is causing alarm among schools, law enforcement, and youth professionals.
Billy’s situation was atypical as the majority of abuse is typically perpetrated by boys against girls. However, his experience falls within a spectrum of behaviors that seem to be escalating. A study of police records conducted by the Observer revealed a significant rise in reports of sexual assault and rape in England and Wales since 2019. The data, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, showed a 40% surge by 2022 – with an even greater increase in incidents reported on school grounds.
The police and government have implemented various efforts in recent years due to growing concern about the issue. The widespread use of smartphones and the availability of pornography and viral content promoting misogyny are frequently mentioned as contributing factors to concerning behavior.
Kate Parker, the creator of the Schools Consent Project, has conducted sessions with numerous students to discuss the concept of consent. She has observed an increase in reports of online sexual harassment, in addition to the already serious issue of sexual assault. Parker also expressed concern about the attitudes and beliefs expressed by some young men.
“During the nine years that we have been operating, I had hoped to witness a more progressive shift in opinions,” she expressed. “However, that is not what we are observing. Many young individuals are being exposed to extreme beliefs, and it is affecting their perspective of the world. For instance, the notion that a girl’s clothing should dictate her worth or invite unwanted attention. This mindset overlooks the fact that rape and sexual violence can occur regardless of the nature of a relationship. It is alarming.”
The police are closely monitoring the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act, which aims to control harmful content. Parker suggests that teachers require additional assistance in challenging certain beliefs. Clare Kelly, associate head of policy at the NSPCC, stated that education on relationships, sex, and health should play a significant part.
She stated that in order for this to become a reality, it is necessary for the government to guarantee that every school has the necessary resources to effectively provide a top-notch curriculum.
Children must be taught about healthy relationships and identifying abuse within a school environment that promotes recognizing and addressing harmful sexual behavior, challenging sexist beliefs, and preventing inappropriate conduct from escalating.
Source: theguardian.com
