OFSTED Report on Sexual Harassment

[Daisy]

This report from OFSTED makes horrific reading. It says that sexual harassment has become 'normalised' in children to the point where many youngsters don't see the point of reporting abuse and teachers (and parents!) totally underestimate the extent of the problems.

I think it's hard for our generation to really understand how girls in particular are bombarded with unwanted pictures, sexual messages etc to their phones, sometimes relentlessly.

There's a call for schools and colleges to put in place training to help staff to deal with sexual abuse, but it seems to me that we need a whole, cultural sea change in society to make this kind of behaviour unacceptable.

I'm sure it can be done with the right determination across society. Look how our attitudes to drinking and driving have changed over the years, and more recently smoking.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-57411363

[Gemini]

What a sad state of affairs Daisy, and especially concerning to those of us with granddaughters or great granddaughters

I hope you are right and we can change attitudes.

[Plantaholic]

I saw thar report on the news, I hope something is done about it. It is not only girls affected, boys too are getting images sent to them. I hope they don’t expect teachers only to deal with this problem.

[Sunshine]

This certainly is a very worrying state of affairs.
Teachers ARE however given training on how to address the problem, but probably not enough. Along with sexism, children are frequently subject to bullying, homophobia, racism, just to name a few. The problems sometimes result in depression, self harm and even children contemplating suicide.
I believe that the biggest culprit is the use of the smart phone. Most schools restrict the use of phones during the school day, but there are many hours where children have access to the internet and all it offers. Good and bad.
I think the more parents/carers etc can really talk with the children, the more balanced individuals they will be. It is very difficult for many parents as their children are often a lot more tec savvy than they are.

[Daisy]

Sunshine, I agree, but it seems we lay everything at the door of the teacher to deal with. Perhaps we should be helping and supporting parents to take a more active role in recognising all forms of abuse for what they are. I know that's a marathon task, and there will always be parents who wouldn't see it as their responsibility. We've got to start somewhere.

We were talking to a friend today and he brought the subject up, saying he'd gone to an all boys' school and hadn't been aware of problems in 'our' day. My OH went to a mixed grammar school, and he said he wasn't aware of any of abuse then either. I do think smart phones have created situations that just wouldn't have been possible previously, and I also think children are exposed to much more 'adult' situations on TV, gaming consoles etc.

[Gemini]

I agree, phones, social media and some children being exposed to adult themes have a lot to answer for.