Bullying & Child on Child Abuse

Bullying

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our pupils so that they can learn, play and communicate in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable in our school. If bullying does occur, all children and adults should know that all incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. At Chalton Lower School we believe that ignoring bullying is wrong. Anyone who is aware of or who witnesses an incident of bullying has a duty to intervene, to get help and to report it.

Please take the time to read our Anti-Bullying policy as well as have a look at the resources below to find ways to support your children and our school in the fight against bullying.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/advice-for-families/dealing-with-bullying/

https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/

https://www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk/

Child on Child Abuse

Children can abuse other children (often referred to as child on child abuse) and that it can happen both inside and outside of school and online. Child on child abuse is behaviour by an individual or group, intending to physically, sexually or emotionally harm others. It can happen to children of a similar age or stage of development and can be harmful to the children who display it as well as those who experience it.

Child on child abuse is most likely to include, but may not be limited to:

• Physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling or otherwise causing physical harm.
• Sexual violence such as rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault.
• Sexual harassment such as sexual comments, remarks, jokes and online sexual harassment, which may be standalone or part of a broader pattern of abuse.
• Causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent, such as forcing someone to strip, touch themselves sexually or to engage in sexual activity with a third party.
• Consensual and non-consensual sharing of nude and semi-nude images and/or videos (also known as sexting.)
• Upskirting which typically involves taking a picture under a person’s clothing without their permission, with the intention of viewing their genitals or buttocks to obtain sexual gratification or cause the victim humiliation, distress or alarm.
• Initiation/hazing type violence and rituals (this could include activities involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group and may also include an online element).

All of our staff at Chalton Lower School are obligated to challenge inappropriate behaviours between peers. Child on child abuse will never be accepted or dismissed as ‘children being children’. All staff are alert to behaviour that may cause concern and think about what the behaviour might signify. We actively encourage children to share with us any underlying reasons for their behaviour and where appropriate, to engage with their parents/carers so that the cause(s) of their behaviour can be investigated and understood with the appropriate support in place.

For further information and support please see the links below:

https://napac.org.uk/child-on-child-abuse/

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/harmful-sexual-behaviour