To think this is inappropriate homework for an 11 year old? **MNHQ adding content warning for CSA**

I discussed abuse in an age appropriate way right from when my kids could understand. Teaching about which body parts were private and how if an adult asks you to keep certain things secret that is a sign they are not a good person. I don’t see the point in only starting to teach this to older teens who know it anyway. You need to teach it when kids are more susceptible to manipulation.
I understand it’s fiction but if the child in the story had a lesson about this at school or had discussed it with parents would they still keep the secret/be manipulated? Likely not. Often adults think that shielding kids from difficult topics is protecting them when it is actually putting them at more risk.

I agree kids should be taught but by parents first. We don;t like to say this- but what if the parents are the abusers? That's why schools should discuss it. But not by using this sort of story first. This kind of creepy story should be for older teens to discuss.

Gosh, it's certainly a very serious topic but I'm less concerned about the subject matter than I am that your student appears to have missed the point. I appreciate people vary but I'd have fought most 11 year old would have understood what's being suggested here.
I'd just highlight this to the parent. They can decide for themselves if they think it's unsuitable material for their child and act accordingly.
My children are much older now but I'm confident they'd have both picked up on the covert message and I'd be happy for them to read this, particularly if there was to be refection/discussion.

Not particularly disagreeing with what anyone has said, but want to play a bit of Devil's Advocate here.

For the record, about 25 years ago I was a childcare worker at a large and very well-respected child services organization (mostly ages 8-16) for 3 and a half years. I worked in an after school program for children that were at risk of being taken out of the home for one reason or another. Many (way too many) of those children had been sexually abused and had behavioral problems as a result of that abuse that significantly contributed to their being able to stay at home/in school.

That said...Is it possible that this exercise was intended as a "screening tool," to discover whether or not any of the children in that group have experienced sexual abuse? If they hadn't, they are more likely to "read" the story as OP described. If they had, their response to it would be quite different.

Is it possible that this exercise was intended as a "screening tool," to discover whether or not any of the children in that group have experienced sexual abuse?

That's utterly batshit. Don't be so ridiculous.

Not necessarily though- I hadn;t been abused but I understood and I agree with Jude that I think others would. It feels wrong to screen like that when it could cause upset

This is incredibly sensitive work though, and not really for untrained teachers to just delve into. I agree it is important for kids to be able to know about what is ‘OK’ and what is not OK. There are appropriate safeguarding age appropriate advice such as on the NSPCC website. It’s definitely an area where more harm than good can be done by doing this inappropriately, as is the case here.

If you look at the longer extract linked above, yes Damien does learn that abuse is wrong - the last story is about him giving evidence in court against the stepfather to protect his younger brother.

I think it's a good story, in fact. Just not for 11 year olds.

I also think it's a bit unfair to say the story didn't show the long-term consequences - one story can't tell everything. It did say Damien was often in detention so maybe that was a hint?

"Is it possible that this exercise was intended as a "screening tool," to discover whether or not any of the children in that group have experienced sexual abuse? "
I fucking hope not!

Even if the 11yos don’t get the sexual abuse side, they shouldn’t be reading about how children can stop their parents from get cancer and dying. Or, indeed, that cancer always means dying. This is wildly inappropriate on every level.

I wouldn’t have understood the first part of the story (written from Damian’s point of view) when I was 11/12.

I think the whole story is too nuanced for children. So much is hinted at, but not spelt out (not that most people would want to read those details).

Also, the story is told by a series of unreliable narrators. Two are too young to understand their situations. The others are abusers who minimise their actions and blame the victims. The final narrator is a reliable one who provides important context and concludes the story. Even so, it must be very tricky for children to sort the “truth” within the story from the “untruths”. Might some of them be fooled for example, into thinking that Melissa isn’t an abuser?

I’m not saying it isn’t a good story. But I’m amazed it’s recommended for children aged 12+.

Disgusting. Wtf is wrong with the education system in the UK?

It's a collection of pedo stories for pedos to enjoy. And if anyone on here thinks that a paragraph at the end of numerous stories "and then they all went to jail" makes this evil shite right somehow... You need your heads examining!

I was groomed by a family friend/tutor at 10-11 years old. It's very similar to a couple of these stories.
The way it's done in the book, is not how I'd choose to talk about it! It's harmful, it's emphasising "do not tell" & "somehow it's your own fault" angle.

I have a 9 year old. Should I describe to him next year in detail the grooming that happened to me? That would involve describing what a porn mag is, the adult content I read... 🤢 Should I mention that I was pretty, I wasn't wearing much and I didn't seem to mind 🤮 and I didn't tell?
I'd sound like a groomer myself, no? So why is this book OK? I'm convinced the author is a danger to children. I'd be like a hawk on the teacher too.

I'm sure I can educate my child on grooming and become a trusted & safe person to confide in (that's what I was lacking in childhood) without this pedo manual!

I'm a secondary English teacher and also teach PSHE type stuff a couple times a week. This should not have been set by the teacher, I feel like it's maybe a quick select from a book they thought was appropriate and they clearly haven't read... this is why it's very important to read/watch any text/video before students see it.

I think this should be flagged immediately with the school and parents of this child. It's a safeguarding concern at this stage...

*Is it possible that this exercise was intended as a "screening tool," to discover whether or not any of the children in that group have experienced sexual abuse? If they hadn't, they are more likely to "read" the story as OP described. If they had, their response to it would be quite different.
*
Quz... no, no, no and no again. This would be so wildly inappropriate... at 11 I would have understood this text for what it is - I was mature for my age - and I have never experienced abuse (of this nature anyway).

To suggest it could be a way of implementing a safeguarding system is insane.. and if that is the case then the whole school would need to be reported!

Jesus Christ OP what the hell is that?!

Yea definitely complain immediately that's disturbing!

This is fucking horrifying. I was abused as a child by my father, if I’d read that at 11, in my mind then it would have reinforced the message that what he was doing was ok. It’s so irresponsible and inappropriate.

I really wonder what the purpose was?

Was it to inform and make children aware of grooming and abuse? Or was it literally just an English literature exercise?

If it was the former, I'm sure there are much better ways of making children aware of abuse. Too much is hinted at to make it a worthwhile text in the context of educating children about the dangers.

If it was the latter and merely an English literature exercise then it's extremely inappropriate and could lead to all sorts of confusion. Some children will have picked up on what was being suggested but others would have been completely oblivious.

I'd have been absolutely raging if my DC had brought that home and I actually agree with a pp, I'd be paying close attention to the teacher who set it.

The only time that passage should be read is in safeguarding training by adults.

id be emailing headteacher and standing waiting outside their office door at 9am!

We read similar in school at that age. Grooming happens and children need to learn the warning signs.

I don't disagree that these topics need covering. But in an age appropriate way, and as part of a discussion. Not sent home with a fucking traumatic and nauseating short story with no pre warning to parents. It's so so inappropriate to do it this way with this content.

Agree. Children do need to understand these issues but this is really irresponsible