How do we deal with child on child abuse?
What is Child on Child Abuse?
Child-on-Child abuse is any form of harm aimed at hurting another child. This can include:
- bullying (including cyberbullying)
- physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling, or otherwise causing physical harm
- sexualised behaviour
How do we minimise the risk of child on child abuse?
At The Rosary Catholic Primary School, we minimise the risk of child-on-child abuse in the following ways:
- a high quality PSHCE and RSE programme
- a high quality anti bullying programme (including cyber bullying) and anti bullying charter to which all children adhere
- a stringent behaviour policy which is followed by all staff and volunteers
- an open environment where children are encouraged to speak openly and honestly about concerns
- fully trained staff who are aware of the signs that children may exhibit if the perpetrator or victim of child on child abuse
- fully trained staff who are aware of the effects and consequences of child on child abuse and therefore the seriousness of the issue
- staff work with governors to ensure that the school is an open environment where children are encouraged to speak openly and honestly about concerns Staff will not dismiss issues as ‘banter’ or ‘growing up’ or compare them to their own experiences of childhood. Staff will consider each issue and each individual in their own right before taking action.
- Children are part of changing their circumstances and, through school council and pupil voice for example, we encourage young people to support changes and develop ‘rules of acceptable behaviour’. We involve pupils in the positive ethos in school; one where all young people understand the boundaries of behaviour before it becomes abusive.
Child-on-child abuse is referenced in our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and our Child-on-Child Abuse Policy. The sensitive nature and specific issues involved with child-on-child abuse necessitate separate policy guidance.
At The Rosary Catholic Primary School we continue to ensure that any form of abuse or harmful behaviour is dealt with immediately and consistently to reduce the extent of harm to the young person, with full consideration to the impact on that individual child’s emotional and mental health and well-being.
