Secondary schools - inappropriate touching

[Aworkissue]

Hi there. I have NC for this as I don't want this linked to my usual username.

I work in a secondary school as part of the pastoral team. I have been there for nearly 10 years now.

Usually, any comments from students saying that someone has put their arm over their shoulder, placed their hand on their knee, made a point of sitting really close to them so their arm is against their arm etc, have had to be investigated, both parties supported, parents called in, sanctions applied, mediations, restorative practice, education, mentoring, etc etc. All good.

However in the last couple of months or so, these types of allegations have had to be logged with the police as asexual harassment.

I am not trying to play down the importance of coming down strong on incidents like this, zero tolerance, etc. However, it seems a heavy handed approach for say Y7 and Y8 students, and I wonder if it can end up being more traumatising than helpful for both parties. I understand that reporting it to the police doesn't mean they end up with a criminal record, but still, it means the whole affair takes way longer to resolve, causing a lot of upset to the students.

I would really welcome thoughts and opinions on this as I feel conflicted. I also wonder if there's anything specific I can read from either the police of the department for education, as I haven't found anything and my school policies have not been updated in this respect. TIA.

I imagine it's a response to the reports that found that hundreds if not thousands of young girls have experienced sexual assault at school with fuck all done about it. These reports revealed that schools couldn't be trusted to do the right thing themselves, so now it's all handed to the police, I would imagine. Though it's not like they can be trusted to do the right thing either.

Y7-8 is what 12-13 year olds? At that age they know what is and isn’t appropriate touching and there should be a consequence.

As above, so many (predominantly) girls have been the victim of sexual harassment in school this needs to stop now. If it seems heavy handed that’s kind of tough, don’t do it. There is adequate education on this topic in primary school from the secondary school teachers I know. Only way this stops is when there is appropriate action taken.

To your comment re. it causing upset to the student, presumably they (the victim) are upset already if it’s got to you. Find it hard to be sympathetic with the perpetrators.