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 focused on residential specialist music schools and residential schools where children were more at risk of sexual abuse. It also examined other types of schools, including day schools, in which staff were convicted of the abuse of pupils or where there were serious safeguarding concerns.
The power and influence of highly respected and influential music teachers made certain pupils more susceptible to being sexually abused in the specialist music schools that were examined
Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
The inquiry’s initial phase, which saw public hearings held in September and Oct 2019, focused on residential schools of music, including Chethams School Manchester, Yehudi Menuhin School Surrey, and Purcell School Hertfordshire.
It also examined residential special school, including Southlands School (Hampshire) and Appletree School (Cumbbria).
The second phase examined three mainstream schools where allegations of sexual abuse had been made, including a public school and a private 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, the power of influential and revered music teachers made some students more susceptible to being sexually abused.
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.
Similar responses were given when concerns were raised about the well-respected and generally respected members on staff in other school contexts, both in the independent and state sectors.
The report revealed that there was a reluctance by staff and pupils to report sexual abuse in 12 schools.
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 in schools over 20 years was mentioned to the inquiry. Testimonies on the Everyones Invited site show that sexual abuse and harassment between peers continue to be endemic for some children in certain 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 was a former pupil of the school. She had given evidence about how Brewer had groomed, sexually abused, and took her own life in 2013.
The inquiry heard that Christopher Ling was a Chethams violin tutor who was employed in 1980s by Brewer. He abused a variety of Chethams pupils who were between nine- and fifteen years of age.
It made a number of recommendations to improve safeguarding at 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 report to relevant inspectorates any allegations of child sex abuse.
Staff were often too afraid to act or were unaware of the consequences of poor leadership when they faced concerns about sexual abuse.
Professor Alexis Jay is the chairperson of Inquiry
Professor Alexis Jay, Chair of the Inquiry, said that today’s publication is the 19th inquiry report into residential schools.
Schools play an integral part in the lives 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.
Although residential and day schools play a crucial role in keeping children safe, they are not as safe as they should. This must change. These seven recommendations must be implemented to improve the schools’ child protection systems.
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 that my client participated because he wanted the inquiry to highlight the lack in understanding many male victims or survivors of female abusers once they have disclosed 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 who are female abusers less likely than others to report their abuse, for fear of being judged and/or their abuse being minimized.
A301 is determined to raise awareness about this issue and highlight that specialist training, awareness, and support for male victims are desperately needed.
We regret that the Inquiry didn’t address this issue in its final report. We urge them to do so and make meaningful recommendations for male survivors of female abuse.
