How common is sexual harassment in secondary schools?

[Justajot]

I have two DDs in primary school and have wondered for a while whether they are likely to be harassed at secondary school. I went to girls schools so long ago, that I don't think I have any relevant knowledge of behaviour in secondary schools.

www.bbc.com/news/education-36071502

Over 1 reported rape a school day in U.K. schools, from info a few years ago. (600 reported rapes over a 3 year period with 190 school days per year).

Not sure single sexed education is the way to go. It can lead to idolisation of boys by some girls and extreme misogyny in some boys.

Co Ed education with clear boundaries of respect and single sex toilets and changing rooms to keep females safe. All this gender neutral stuff and ‘be kind’ is naive. There have been serious incidents with girls ‘being kind’ to boys who have taken advantage.

Depends on parenting. Schools don’t make boys misogynists. Schools don’t make girls idolise boys. There are more factors at play than this.

I don’t think it’s parenting

How can parents visualy see and here their teens when in a group environment? I know they swear when out with friends, but not round me for example.

They may be respectful to teens on the house but not at the park.

Schools would have better knowledge than parents in a group setting and should be able to enforce the correct message when it’s seen or complained about

I know of my teens were assaulted I wouldn’t hesitate to call the police. However they tend to stay away from those Leary boys anyway.

It tends happens but if it does it's only comments nothing physical

So comments are nothing to worry about then? I think the girls may well not be happy about that and it says it all. Nothing physical so no need to worry. Parents do not see boys in a group so nothing to worry about there either. Leave it up to the school. DC swears when out with friends. But that's ok too. He spares his mum from listening to his swearing. So here we have the problem. Boys just do what they want and it is nothing to do with the parents. It bloody well is!!!!

Comments are a problem. It's the thin end of the wedge.

@PresentingPercy

So comments are nothing to worry about then? I think the girls may well not be happy about that and it says it all. Nothing physical so no need to worry. Parents do not see boys in a group so nothing to worry about there either. Leave it up to the school. DC swears when out with friends. But that's ok too. He spares his mum from listening to his swearing. So here we have the problem. Boys just do what they want and it is nothing to do with the parents. It bloody well is!!!!

From my experience the comments are never to the girl it's always the guy to his friends as I've never heard a single guy say anything like that to a girl - 14yr old girl

I had experience with a few instances at school. One guy went round taking pictures up girls skirts including at a year 5/6 disco. I also remember being forced to sit next to a guy in one subject who used to poke my boobs continually when the teacher wasn’t there. I had zero serious interest from boys at school as I wasn’t one of the pretty ones but still dealt with instances like this. Never reported either. Also remember a poor girl having pictures of her boobs sent around school by an ex boyfriend - think the teachers got wind of that one though.
Unfortunately even if it isn’t that common it only takes one male in the entire school to do it. Definitely educate your girls on what isn’t acceptable and who they can tell if they experience anything, I wish my mum had!