MPs to probe sexual violence in schools

The women and equalities select committee said it wants to establish the scale of the problem in both primary and secondary schools and and assess the impact it has on girls and young women, boys and young men, and teachers.

It will also explore measures currently in place to tackle the issue and the role Ofsted plays in monitoring the situation and enforcing action.

Research conducted by the committee suggests that schools are not playing their part in recognising the pressures young people are under when dealing with matters of sexual harassment and sexual bullying.

A study that gathered the views of 300 young people found that teachers may "brush off" incidents of sexual assaults or sexually threatening behaviour because of students' relatively young ages.

Meanwhile, many incidents go unreported because students are worried that victims will be punished as well as perpetrators.

Data published last September 2015 showed that 5,500 sexual offences were recorded in UK schools over a three-year period, including 600 rapes.

And in 2010 a poll of 16- to 18-year-olds found that 29 per cent of girls experienced unwanted sexual touching at school and a further 71 per cent said they heard sexual name-calling towards girls at school daily or a few times per week.  

Maria Miller, chair of the committee said: “It’s clear from the young people we’ve heard from that sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools is having a profound impact on their day-to-day lives.

“We need to address this issue now, and stop it from blighting the lives of another generation of young people – both male and female.
 
“We’re asking teachers, students, parents, youth organisations and anyone else with an interest in this subject to share their knowledge and experience with us. We’ll use this evidence to find the most effective measures to reduce levels of sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools.”

The deadline for evidence to be submitted to the committee is 22 May.