Understanding peer on peer abuse Wholestaff briefing DATE

Understanding peer on peer abuse Whole-staff briefing <DATE>

What is peer on peer abuse? • Peer on peer abuse can take many forms and covers any abusive behaviour from one child to another. • This can include bullying and cyberbullying, any kind of physical abuse or assault, sexual violence and harassment, upskirting, sexting (sometimes known as ‘youth produced sexual imagery’) and initiation or hazing rituals. • It is important to remember that abuse can also take place between young people who are in an intimate or personal relationship. • Peer on peer abuse can be perpetrated by a sibling or family member, or another child in an extra-familial context. It can happen anywhere, in person or online and can also happen at school.

What are our responsibilities? • We must never pass off peer on peer abuse as ‘banter’. • It must be taken as seriously as abuse by an adult. The signs and symptoms may be very similar to abuse by an adult. • Positive behaviour for learning and safe spaces protect children from peer on peer abuse. • We have a clear policy about how we will respond to and record any incidents of peer on peer abuse. • You can find out more about this in the safeguarding and child protection policy.

Our school arrangements • Insert details here about who your safeguarding team are, how to raise concerns about children and how to record concerns (e. g. CPOMS). • It is useful to add photos of the relevant staff and use this slide in all of your safeguarding training sessions to remind everyone of the arrangements.

Discussion Points Discuss the following questions with the person next to you. How do we help children to understand what peer on peer abuse is? How do we prevent peer on peer abuse happening on the school site? What should you do if you think a child is being abused by another child?

Summary We must all take peer on peer abuse seriously. We must all create an environment where opportunity for peer on peer abuse is minimised and positive behaviour is promoted. We will respond in a thorough and effective way if it does happen. If you have any concerns about peer on peer abuse you should report them to the Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately. You must always operate within the school policy.