The thing is, I do think the thread has veered off course quite dramatically which isn’t in itself a problem but does mean the original question has been somewhat lost.
The original question asked about a school age son (so I am presuming the 13-17 year old bracket?) and sexual assault.
I was sexually assaulted at 15, by another 15 yo - except I wasn’t. I genuinely do not think that he would have realised for even a second that that is what he did. He was a troubled young man: I was a girl who didn’t know how to say no and had been brought up to be nice.
I can’t honestly say that him being taken into police custody, treated as a sex offender and sent to a YOI would have helped him in any way. Even if he’d been found guilty. Unlikely.
That doesn’t make it right, however. It means we mums and dads have an important job - talk to our sons, encourage all children to own their bodies (anyone else made to kiss uncles?) really teach them well.
But kids are stupid and they make mistakes.
Now - there is a difference between that and sustained rape of a child or adult by another child. I know it happens, I work in CP. but I also have found it happens when the child is a victim themselves. It’s an impossible situation and is heartbreaking for everyone. I don’t know what I’d do. But I do think if we are talking about children sexually assaulting anyone we would be mindful to know they are victims too.