The report is based on the statistical analysis of 691 accounts of victims and survivors who were sexually abused at school and came forward as part of the inquiry’s Truth Project. Seventeen accounts were analysed in further detail.
The report looks at experiences of sexual abuse across a wide range of school settings including residential, non-residential, state and independent schools.
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Topic hub: Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation
Researchers found the majority of perpetrators were male teachers or other educational staff, with victims and survivor accounts revealing that abusers often manipulated and groomed children, staff and parents in order to facilitate the sexual abuse.
The perpetrators often had good reputations with staff and parents, or were seen as “cool” by pupils, the study finds.
It adds that nearly half of participants were aware of other victims in the same school, almost double those who were sexually abused in other contexts.
Also a greater proportion of participants who attended residential schools reported sexual abuse by their peers, physical abuse, psychological abuse and bullying than participants who attended non-residential schools.
Some victims and survivors believed that they were in “relationships” with the perpetrators, some of which extended for years after the participants had left school.
Six per cent of participants reported that they did not disclose the sexual abuse because they thought the perpetrator loved them.
Victims and survivors suggested changes such as schools having a legal responsibility to investigate sexual abuse allegations, educating children on relationships, sex and abuse from a young age, and providing school staff with better child protection training.
David, who took part in the Truth Project, said: “In the months and years following the abuse my grades tanked in all subjects except the one taught by my abuser.
“I had to sit in his lessons with him knowingly smiling at me while trying to coax me down to his house again.
“This research shows how important it is that children are properly safeguarded in schools, both now and in the future.”
Principal researcher Dr Sophia King added: “Schools should be somewhere that children feel safe and protected, but this report shows a very different picture.
“Almost half of those who reported being sexually abused in school knew of other victims in the same school, which is far higher than participants who were sexually abused in other contexts.
“Some victims thought they were in love with their abuser and were conflicted for many years into adulthood, with lasting impacts on their education, employment and social life.”
