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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

WWYD - kids showing private parts

44 replies

cochineal7 · 02/12/2018 22:56

DD7 has two close friends, B(oy) and G(irl). The three have been pretty much inseparable since reception. I just found out that B has been asking the girls to show them their privates. He doesn't show his. He makes them promise not to tell. DD mentioned it almost by accident when upset about something unrelated, and when I enquired about what she exactly meant, she told me - very matter of factly. She said it made her not very comfortable, but 'he makes them do it, she had promised, and he is their friend'. It apparently happened more than once.

I called G's mother. However, when confronted, G. denied everything to her parents. After mother told me this, we decided to wait and see, as the girls' stories don't match.

Then yesterday, DD told me again - without prompting I may add, and without her displaying any form of judgment; she doesn't seem to realise any of the implications. She casually added he is actually looking inside. I fully believe her. I am in no way cross with DD or letting on how I feel. I am of course reinforcing the good vs bad secrets and good vs bad promises, and the underpants rule and everything else I can think of.

Now what to do? Do I tell B's parents (mother is known to believe he can do no wrong)? The school? I don't want DD to be caught up in a full 'he said - she said' situation. Mother of G is not (yet?) backing me up in light of G's denials; I did inform her of DDs last addition to the story - should I see if she can talk to G again (but I don't want to cause any issues for G) and give it a few days? I have to add B is quite manipulative, and has a history where he was already caught hitting both girls in Y1, which was dealt with by their teacher at the time. WWYD?

OP posts:
blackcat86 · 03/12/2018 08:38

Stop all play dates with B and talk to the school. They're 7 not 3 so B doesn't know this is inappropriate then something is going wildly wrong for him and the school would be well placed to look at this. They can also ask lunch monitors to keep an eye out. Enforce a no secrets policy with your children (birthdays etc can be 'happy surprises' but not secrets) and repeatedly say that we don't keep secrets in this house. Ensure that your daughter knows the proper names for parts of the body and that her body is hers so no hugs or kisses etc if she doesn't want them.i would be worried that she has been so matter of fact about it and use it to start some open communication. It's great that she told you and it speaks volumes about her trust in you.

SleepingStandingUp · 03/12/2018 08:48

cochineal7 I apologise, it read like a linger gap and a play date where it had escalted

SleepingStandingUp · 03/12/2018 08:48

Longer gap
Had escalated further

thefishwhocouldwish · 03/12/2018 08:54

As a designated person for child protection in a primary school, I urge you to tell the person who holds that position (NOT the class teacher) in your child's school. They need to know in case this is happening to other children in the school and can be vigilant, or may already be dealing with this behaviour at school. You will be taken seriously and they will take appropriate action, although you will not know the details.

I had a case like this with a boy in Y3 last year, only the others who were being coerced were boys and it was not just looking. We reported to social services and it was thoroughly followed up. We also made sure we protected those children by eliminating opportunities for him to repeat this behaviour at school.

TenForward82 · 03/12/2018 09:02

Apologies for misunderstanding, op. As a victim of CSA who tried to tell my mother and was ignored I'm a bit, er, touchy. Sorry.

cochineal7 · 03/12/2018 09:33

I am sorry you had to go through that Ten. I will fight my hardest to make sure DD is protected. Just felt so caught out this weekend about what to do, I needed a sounding board. Will contact parents B and school protection officer now.

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock · 03/12/2018 09:45

It is awful. I know we did show me your and I will show you mine with female friends but this boy might be showing red plays for the future as it is on his terms already. He tells them it is a secret, he gets to look, I would be very concerned. I hope it gets sorted. I hope the DM don't print the thread before you deal with it. Good luck whatever happens, try shield your DD from the fall out. The last thing she needs is to feel guilt for exposing him, show her it was a positive step in protecting herself.

PazRaz10 · 03/12/2018 10:40

I would definitely tell the boys parents - even if she thinks he can do no wrong, they need to be aware.
It's the secrecy that would worry me, as to tell them to keep it a secret is to know he is doing something wrong. Like a PP said - if it was a 'I'll show you mine, if you show me yours' type scenario where they both openly tell their parents then it would worry me less - although I would also be discussing that with the other parent and making sure we were all on the same page.
My four year old has seen the Pantosaurus at nursery - and it's had a brilliant affect on her. She often tells me about it and firmly shows me how she says 'NO'! It may be too young for your DD, but may be worth showing anyway - just to reinforce all the things you are talking about with her.

TenForward82 · 03/12/2018 12:04

Thanks op, hope you get a good resolution.

EmeraldShamrock · 04/12/2018 16:21

cochineal7 Did you get to speak with the other DMs.

cochineal7 · 04/12/2018 23:27

Yes I spoke to one of his parents last night, in person (thought that would be best). Reaction was total shock and a promise to take immediate action, which is the best I could hope for under the circumstances. Am staying vigilant. No playdates on the horizon in any case. Am hoping it was something horribly misjudged. G has now also started to talk. I feel drained but glad to be on top of it (hopefully) and so happy DD talked to me. I cannot thank you all enough for your advice and kind words.

OP posts:
chocolatecoveredraisons · 04/12/2018 23:53

This would be a safeguarding issue at school. It could be harmless or it could be a sign of something else. I would mention it to the school. Communication is key and all that.

chocolatecoveredraisons · 04/12/2018 23:54

The promising not to tell is worrying. Why would he say that if it's all innocent. Where has he learnt that they must not tell. Very worrying indeed

rededucator · 05/12/2018 00:05

It has nothing to do with the school. Don't make this the schools job to sort out too!

Imustbemad00 · 05/12/2018 00:44

I was going to say please don’t tell his parents, but seems you already have. Just in case there’s a bigger picture..
Definitely tell the school safeguarding lead as they will know what procedures to follow and may knownsthff you do not.
But first and foremost keep your daughter away from him.

Imustbemad00 · 05/12/2018 00:45

@rededucator the school safeguarding lead would 100% want to know about this.

GloGirl · 05/12/2018 00:48

There is an NSPCC campaign - Pants are Private which talks in an appropriate way about body autonomy, they will have some useful resources for your daughter.

chocolatecoveredraisons · 05/12/2018 00:48

Communication is key if there is some form of abuse going on. The school may well be already building a picture and this could be vital information. Also it could be happening at school and I would want to make staff aware so as not to put more children in an uncomfortable situation.

How would you feel if it came out there was abuse going on and you hadn't let the school know as "it's not there problem to sort" kids spend 30 hours a week at school. Of course they should be informed

EmeraldShamrock · 05/12/2018 07:45

That is good, I am sure they are shocked but al least it will be worth the hassle.
Also if someone has been doing this to him he may open up now.
Good luck with it Flowers

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