Child on Child Abuse

Child on Child Abuse

Young people can abuse other children, this can happen in school, the local community and online. Child on child abuse can upset and hurt others both physically and emotionally, these affects can sometimes have a lasting impact on wellbeing.

Forms of Abuse

Bullying is the most obvious form of abuse and can include:

• physical abuse (hitting, kicking, etc.)
• verbal abuse
• cyberbullying
• prejudice-based and discriminatory abuse

Child on Child abuse includes wider forms of abuse such as exploitation, manipulation or control, harassment and cruelty.

Young people may not initially be able to recognise all forms of abuse because they don’t understand it or recognise it is happening. They may believe it to be ‘messing’, ‘joking’ or ‘banter’.

Other forms of abuse include:

• abusive/controlling behaviour in friendships and personal relationships between children
• sexual violence such as assault by penetration, sexual assault, or causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent. This can include an online element which facilitates, threatens and/or encourages sexual violence
• sexual harassment such as sexual comments, remarks, jokes and online sexual harassment. This may be standalone or part of a broader pattern of abuse
• causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent
• consensual and non-consensual sharing of nude and semi-nude images or videos (also known as ‘sexting’ or youth produced sexual imagery)
• ‘Up skirting’
• criminal exploitation, county lines

Responsibility of Staff

All our staff are knowledgeable about Child on Child abuse. It is important that our staff:

• contribute to a school culture which is compassionate, respectful and committed to protecting young people from Child on Child abuse
• understand how and when to log any Child on Child abuse on CPOMS
• can offer support and guidance to students who may have experienced a form of child on child abuse
• understand the importance of challenging inappropriate behaviours between children that are actually abusive in nature
• do not underestimate behaviour between peers, or dismiss potential abuse as “banter”, “just having a laugh”, or “part of growing up”
• respond to child on child abuse calmly and professionally
• recognise the impact of wider societal factors, such as everyday sexist language and stereotypes, on young people’s attitudes
• are good role models throughout the school

Harmful Sexual Behaviour

Sexual violence and sexual harassment can occur between two children of any age and sex from primary through to secondary stage and into college. It can occur through a group of children sexually assaulting or sexually harassing a single child or group of children.

The best responses to child sexual violence and harassment are those which take a whole school or college approach to safeguarding and child protection.  

Hazel Grove High School is committed to a school culture which is compassionate, respectful and committed to protecting young people from child on child abuse and harmful sexual behaviour. Staff will strive to respond quickly and efficiently to inappropriate behaviour (even if it appears to be relatively innocuous) as this can be a crucial intervention that helps prevent problematic, abusive and/or violent behaviour in the future. 

Through staff and student training, Hazel Grove High School teaches how to recognise this behaviour and does not underestimate behaviour between peers or class potential abuse as “banter”, “just having a laugh” or “part of growing up”. The school recognises the impact of wider societal factors such as everyday sexist stereotypes and everyday sexist language on young people’s attitudes. Staff will educate, respond to and challenge any students who may display these attitudes at Hazel Grove High School.  

Young people who may have been subjected to inappropriate behaviours will always be taken seriously and given the support and reassurances they require.   

For further support with online Harmful Sexual Behaviour view the school’s online sexual exploitation page.