Given the sexual assault statistics we need to move back to single sex schools

[jeaux90]

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/oct/04/child-on-child-sexual-abuse-schools-england-and-wales

We could have a debate about the causes of course but the current government won’t ban porn for example so my view, we need to completely segregate at secondary school now if the government is serious about stopping VAWG.

It’s a very simple proposal. Mixed for primary, single sex 11-16, mixed for sixth form/college. This would be fair for girls.

My sons go to a single sex state comprehensive in inner city London. I was dubious (it was not our first choice) but it has been brilliant. The school has a real focus on encouraging boys in the arts including dance, and runs loads of workshops on masculinity (toxic and otherwise) and relationships, managing emotions etc. I think done well single sex education is really good.

That sounds really good.

But that assumes your son isn't one?

If your logic is that only other people's sons are predators, then your neighbour is talking about your son.

So, when do you tell your son that THEY are a predator?

I dont misunderstand, if all males are potentially predators then parents should sit down with their sons and tell them they are predators. But so are all fathers and husbands. So when should they be told?

I certainly think there should be more single sex options for girls who'd prefer that. But I'm hesitant about sex segregated education as the default.
For one thing, it doesn't resolve the issue at source, and could actually reinforce the attitude that girls are 'other' (lesser).
I'd also be concerned about allocation of resources. We hear constantly about the need to invest in working class boys, while WC girls don't seem to interest anyone very much, so would girls be shortchanged because boys schools 'need it more'?
Then there would be concerns about the development of 'pink and blue' specialism in the respective schools.
I know that single sex girls schools have an excellent record, avoiding these pitfalls. But they are individual establishments that proactively choose to educate girls. The results may be different if enforced and at scale.

Absolutely, not faulting you-
Just observing the craziness of it all

I think this sounds brilliant and it would be great if this was rolled out across all schools. I don’t see any reason why these sorts of workshops couldn’t form part of the curriculum in mixed schools too.

I’m sure plenty of children hear or see things amongst their peers that they know don’t sit quite right with them, but they may not have the confidence to challenge it or might worry about standing out. Workshops like these can reinforce that those attitudes aren’t acceptable and give children the confidence and language to challenge them, rather than just going along with what their peers are saying.

I also went to a girls' school and will send my DDs to one.

I am a mum of two boys. The oldest (13) attends a single sex state secondary.
I have started conversations with him about consent and appropriate behaviour, and he gets embarrassed and doesn't want to discuss it. I would appreciate some resources / tools to help me have these comversations in age appropriate ways. If anyone can point me to the right place, I'd be grateful.
I think providing these tools to boy parents would be a good starting point.

When I was in primary we had girls end and boys end. Toilets and cloak rooms were separate. We were supervised well. In secondary toilets & showers were separate. We had prefects, we had teachers around. I went to a rough school. I don’t know anyone who was sexually assaulted by another pupil in school. Pornography has warped the minds of young men and should be banned.

Scunnygal, I completely agree. I have a son and daughter. My son has been taught to respect females, we have also spoke about the importance of consent. Most of friends are female and he despises misogyny. As parents we need to instill this into our sons. I’ve spoken to my 13yr old daughter about consent and sexual assault. The statistics are horrifying, we as parents need to educate and guide our sons

Essentially this

Hated secondary school, tons of bullying. Was in a posh (but not private) secondary. Would have jumped at the option of mixed

You aren't making any sense. Logic bypass.

Please explain why you think that?

I went to a single sex school and was sexually assaulted at a house party. I wasn’t used to being around boys and I think that’s done me a disservice throughout my life. I wouldn’t choose a single sex school for my children.

I agree with you. I don’t think anything should be enforced as a default. Providing options is surely better and there’s nothing to say that can’t include single sex and mixed education. I feel very uncomfortable at the thought of either being forced as the only option and removing that freedom of choice.

Just this week in the news about the gang rape at Cornell university in the USA.

A female student was raped by many male students. Whilst she was being gang raped, and it was being videoed, one of the rapists sent a text to every male student in his 'frat' house (an all males hall of residence in UK language), that he and his mates were currently gang raping a girl and did any of them want to join in. He sent that on the house Whatsapp group.

57 boys / men were on that group. Not one of them stopped it.

Not all men. Do me a favour.

I know it’s bloody awful and not surprised by women only carriages on trains in some countries like Brazil.