A new report has revealed that boarding schools provide the perfect environment for grooming. The pupils are more dependent upon adults than in nonresidential settings.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse found that some children’s residential school may actually be their home.
The investigation began with residential specialist music schools as well as residential special schools. These schools were known to have higher rates of child sexual abuse. The investigation then moved on to other types schools, including day schools. Day schools are schools in which staff have been convicted of the abuse of pupils or where serious safeguarding concerns have arisen.
It also looked at residential special schools such as Southlands School in Hampshire, Appletree School, Cumbria, and Royal School Manchester.
The second phase focused on three mainstream schools in which sexual abuse allegations were raised. This included a state school as well as a private boarding school.
These allegations relate to incidents that were alleged to have occurred between the 1960s and 2014.
The report stated that in the specialist music schools surveyed, some pupils were more at risk of being sexually abused due to the power and influence held by highly respected and influential music teachers.
When allegations were made, or concerns were raised, the reputations of the schools and musicians were often more important than those who were the victims.
The response was similar to concerns raised about staff members who are well-liked and respected in other school settings, in both the state and independent sector.
Our website #ResidentialSchoolsToday’s report shows that schools aren’t as safe for children as they need to be. Furthermore, children’s interests don’t always come first when sexual abuse allegations are made.
The full investigation report can be found here https://t.co/xF6BkWRhaO pic.twitter.com/LoFMAr3J9f
InquiryCSA (@InquiryCSA). March 1, 2022
The report found that 12 schools and eight schools that were closed down had a reluctance of staff or pupils to report any sexual abuse.
It stated that despite numerous improvements and changes to safeguarding since the complaints about child sexual abuse in closed residential schools accounts, children still face sexual abuse and harassment in schools.
Ineffective safeguarding at schools over the past twenty years was a topic of inquiry. The inquiry was also informed that testimonies from Everyones Invited show that peer harassment and sexual abuse are still endemic in some schools.
It was heard that Michael Brewer, the former director of music at Chethams School was a powerful figure who had complete control over all matters relating music.
Frances Andrade, a former student at the school, committed suicide in 2013 after giving evidence about how Brewer had sexually abused and groomed her.
Inquiry also revealed that Christopher Ling (a Chethams violin tutor) abused a number students in his care in the 1980s, when they were between nine and fifteen years old.
It made a series recommendations to improve safeguarding in schools. These included setting standards and training levels for safeguarding in schools that are nationally accredited, making the highest level mandatory for headteachers and designated safeguarding lead in England and Wales, and introducing a duty on boarding schools and residential schools to inform inspectorates about allegations of child sexual assault and other serious incidents.
Schools play a vital role in the lives and education of nearly nine million children in England, and half a billion in Wales. Schools should be places of learning where children can flourish in a safe and secure environment.
This contrasts with the many instances of child sexual abuse described in this report. They are the exact opposite of what a school should be.
Staff were often unaware of how to respond or afraid to act when they were under poor leadership. It was evident that the school’s reputation was being protected at all costs. This is a common theme in many of our reports.
While residential and day schools play an important role in protecting children from harm, they aren’t as safe as they should be despite being more focused on safeguarding for 20 years. This must change. To improve the school’s child protection system, it is imperative that seven of the recommendations in this report be implemented.
Kim Harrison, principal lawyer and head for operations for abuse and public inquires at Slater & Gordon represented a male victim (A301) of a female abuser from Headlands School. He said: My client participated in this inquiry primarily because he wanted the Inquiry to highlight the lack understanding many male victims or survivors of female abusers have once they disclose their abuse.
Boys and men who are abused by women often feel more shame and embarrassment than they do when society tells them that they should be able to enjoy the attention of females.
This can make male victims and female abusers of female abusers less likely for them to tell their abuse for fear that they will be judged or reduced.
A301 is determined to raise awareness about this issue and highlight that specialist training, awareness, and support for male victims are desperately needed.
We are disappointed that the Inquiry did not address this issue in their final report. We urge the Inquiry, to address it and make meaningful suggestions to help male survivors of abuse by females in their final report.
