DD sexually assaulted

[fedupntired]

Have name changed for this, it's quite long and detailed so may be outing - not sure.

8 months ago my DD witnessed a sexual assault at school at lunch time. The assault took the form of inappropriate touching over knickers - it happened once, the victim told the perpetrator to stop and she did it again.

I got a phone call over a week later from CID asking to talk to my DD about it. This was the first we'd heard about it. School told the police they would advise all the parents but had not.
My DD gave an informal statement followed by a videoed witness statement.
The victim left school and the perpetrator is still a pupil.
We heard nothing more until this week. Apparently my DD was also assaulted in a similar manner.
This was the first we'd heard of it. DD didn't want to say anything and police thought school had told us!
Can anyone advise if this is normal? CID came on Tuesday to talk to DD and DH (I have been away). We will be talking to them again on Friday when I return.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Anyone?

I’m sorry that have no advice to give as not been in a similar situation, but so sorry to hear this has happened to your DD. Sounds to me that school and/or police have been negligent here by not informing you? I would assume they have an obligation to tell you but I don’t know the law myself, admittedly.

Perhaps @Collaborate will be able to assist on this matter, OP.

I'm sure the school should have informed you - I understand they've a duty to inform the police. Sounds at face value that there has been failing from the school. How terrifying for you all and particularly your DD.

Hopefully @Collaborate will be along soon. Or @MrsBertBibby.

This isn’t my area of law I’m afraid. Hope you get to the bottom of it OP.

How old is your DD, OP?

If over 16 I'm pretty sure that police have to respect her confidentiality and wouldn't inform a parent – she should be able to speak freely to police without worrying it might get back to you if she didn't want it to.

I'm So sorry. This has clearly been very badly handled, all-round !!

As a teacher I know you have have a duty of care that is clearly set out in their safe guarding policy. They should have told you, it's their duty. You can view their safeguarding policy on their website. Read through it and you can complain to OFSTED and use that as back up xx

Does the school have a psychologist? I think this may be appropriate - I hope you get answers soon

As your daughter was the victim of the assault you should have been notified by school. The only reasons this wouldn't be the case is if the police requested that this didn't happen as would impair their investigation (very unlikely with a victim, likely to happen when young person is the alleged perpetrator) or the young person is over 16 and specifically asked that their parent wasn't told. I would ask to meet with the Head & Designated Safeguarding Lead at your school to find what went wrong and to ensure they have a robust risk assessment in place to protect your daughter from the alleged perpetrator. Also they should be exploring with you and your daughter what if any support she needs as a consequence of this situation, ie would she benefit from counselling, pastoral work regarding self esteem etc.

Thank you all, DD was 12 at the time. I will look at their safeguarding policy now.

OP I just wanted to let you know the school is visible in your screenshot, I’ve reported for you.

Nothing to add other than very sorry to hear that.
The school is still identifiable in your post.....through the black you have used.

Your daughter would have had an appropriate adult with her when she made her statement and the video statement- who was that if not you or your husband?

A close family friend, recently retired from the police sat in with her,
I will get the post removed and re add- just to show the lack of policies!

Did the family friend not tell you? If not, why? And why did they sit in and not you or her father?

I think the police's duty of care was met with the appropriate adult requirement being fulfilled. It may be that the school assumed that you were going to fulfil the AA role, and therefore felt they didn't need to do anything to make you aware?

Either way, for you and your daughter.

I'm sorry that I don't know the answer to your question, but hope the following documents may be helpful to you:

Guidance to schools about safeguarding children

Information sharing in regards to safeguarding services

The first may be helpful moving forwards to ensure your DD's safety is maintained, while the second may provide advice about whether and how information should be shared with you, as DD's parents.

School doesn't seem to have a handle on this. Perpetrators still a pupil original victim left and no support put in place for your dd.

Hubby has spoken to school and they had no idea.
Teacher gave a statement to school then DD went back to her and told her it had happened to her. Hence the difference between school and police statements.
We will speak to police again tonight.
Thanks for your advice folks.