‘Children can abuse other children (often referred to as child-on-child abuse), and that it can happen both inside and outside of school or college and online.'
Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2022)
Child-on-child abuse is behaviour by an individual or group, intending to physically, sexually or emotionally harm others. It can happen to children of a similar age or stage of development and can be harmful to the children who display it as well as those who experience it.
Online child-on-child abuse is any form of child-on-child abuse with a digital element, for example:
- sexting
- online abuse
- coercion and exploitation
- peer-on-peer grooming
- threatening language delivered via online means
- the distribution of sexualised content and harassment
All of our staff and volunteers are obligated to challenge inappropriate behaviours between peers. Child-on-child abuse will never be accepted or dismissed as ‘children being children’.
ALL staff are alert to behaviour that may cause concern and think about what the behaviour might signify. We actively encourage children to share with us any underlying reasons for their behaviour, and, where appropriate, to engage with their parents/carers so that the cause(s) of their behaviour can be investigated and understood with the appropriate support in place.
How will the school respond to child-on-child abuse?
A member of the safeguarding team (DSL/Deputy DSL) will discuss the concerns or allegations with the member of staff who has reported them and will, where necessary, take any immediate steps to ensure the safety of the child/all children affected.
The DSL/Deputy DSL will use their professional judgement to determine whether it is appropriate for alleged behaviour to be dealt with internally and, if so, whether any external specialist support is required. This may include consultation with children’s social care and/or any other external agencies on a no-names basis to determine the most appropriate response.