‘Snitches get stitches’: School-specific barriers to victim disclosure and peer reporting of sexual harm committed by young people in school contexts |
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| Institution: | 1. The International Centre, Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Violence and Trafficking, The University of Bedfordshire, Park Square, Luton, LU1 3JU, United Kingdom;2. AVA, The Foundry, 17 Ovalway, London, SE11 5RR, United Kingdom;1. Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mt Scopus, Jerusalem 91905, Israel;2. Oranim College of Education, Department of Education for Children at Risk, Faculty of Graduate Studies. Kiryat Tiv''on 36011, Israel;3. Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Israel;1. Department of Business Administration, University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana;2. Department of Sociology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundSchool based, peer-to-peer sexual harm is under-researched despite its prevalence and adverse effects on young people across the globe. Understanding barriers to victim disclosure and peer reporting might help towards the prevention and protection of young people.ObjectiveThis study explores dual perspectives of young people and educational staff about school-specific environmental barriers to 1) young people’s disclosure of sexual harm experienced, and 2) young people’s reporting of sexual harm on behalf of others.Participants and setting: Participants include 59 young people aged 13–21 and 58 educational staff, drawn from seven schools across four local authorities in England whom formed part of a wider study on harmful sexual behavior and safety in schools.MethodsFocus groups were carried out with young people and education staff. The sessions were thematically analysed and focused on barriers to disclosure within the school context.ResultsPeer groups set powerful ‘rules’ that influence the ability and willingness of young people to report sexual harm. Some school responses for addressing sexual harm are sub-optimal and sexual harm is not adequately prioritised. Some schools appear to struggle to manage more subtle forms of sexual harm compared with more recognized forms of violence and abuse. A significant proportion of sexual harm is so prevalent that it is ‘normalised’, and therefore under-reported. This resigned acceptance to sexual harm consequently shapes young people’s disclosures.ConclusionsSchool systems of responding to sexual harm require strengthening to increase feelings of safety and empowerment of young people. |
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| Keywords: | Harmful sexual behavior Sexual violence Sexual harassment Schools Disclosure Report Bystander |
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