Schools: Voyeurism

(asked on 26th February 2018) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the practice of up-skirting in schools.


Answered by
Nick Gibb Portrait
Nick Gibb
This question was answered on 1st March 2018

Sexual harassment is unacceptable and not an inevitable part of growing up. Schools should develop a whole-school approach to preventing harassment, underpinned by school behaviour policies and pastoral support.

The department published advice for schools covering child on child sexual harassment and sexual violence on 14 December 2017. Central themes include supporting victims of abuse, a whole-school approach to safeguarding and preventative education. The advice is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sexual-violence-and-sexual-harassment-between-children-in-schools-and-colleges.

Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) is statutory guidance; all schools must have regard to it when carrying out safeguarding duties and promoting children’s welfare. The guidance is clear all schools should have effective child protection policies and provide a safe education environment. If there are concerns about a child, referrals should be made to children’s social care and if appropriate, the police. A consultation on proposed changes to KCSIE closed on 22 February 2018. We are considering the best way to strengthen guidance with regard to sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The department has published advice to support schools develop behaviour policies. The advice is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/behaviour-and-discipline-in-schools.

Reticulating Splines