| Author: | Group Assistant Principal – Student Support, Safeguarding and Inclusion |
|---|---|
| Consultation: | Leadership Team |
| Approval: | Board of the Corporation |
| Version Date: | March 2026 |
| Approved Date: | July 2026 |
| Next Review: | June 2028 |
The purpose of this Policy is to provide all employees, volunteers, partners, and other stakeholders (incl. contractors) with a clear understanding about Trafford & Stockport College Group’s approach to dealing with sexual harassment and abuse claims. TSCG is committed to providing a positive work and study experience for all our employees and students which includes a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment or abuse.
This Policy sets out Trafford & Stockport College Group’s expectations of behaviour by our employees and students and provides approaches for dealing with complaints of sexual harassment or abuse. It intends to protect students and employees from inappropriate sexual behaviour which may include, but is not limited to, violence, grooming, misconduct, and harassment.
TSCG is committed to creating a culture of vigilance where students’ welfare is promoted and where timely and appropriate safeguarding action is taken for students who need extra help or who may be suffering or likely to suffer harm because of sexual harassment or abuse.
This Policy details how employees and students should respond to all reports and concerns of child on child (peer on peer *), sexual violence and sexual harassment, including those that have happened outside of the school or college premises, and/or online.
* Peer refers to any learner at the college including adults and children incorporating specifically child-on-child abuse as stated in KCSIE, 2026.
In respect of children, the Policy is informed by the statutory guidance outlined in the Department for Education publication, “Keeping Children Safe in Education” (September 2026) the statutory guidance “Working Together to Safeguard Children”. The departmental advice “What to do if you are worried a child is being abused – Advice for practitioners” and the departmental advice “Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Between Children in Schools and Colleges”. The review by Ofsted into Sexual abuse in Schools and Colleges carried out in 2021 in response to the Everyone’s Invited movement.
Sexual violence and sexual harassment can occur between two children of any age and sex, from primary through to secondary stage and into colleges. It can occur through a group of children sexually assaulting or sexually harassing a single child or group of children. Sexual violence and sexual harassment exist on a continuum and may overlap; they can occur online and face to face (both physically and verbally) and are never acceptable.
Sexual violence refers to sexual offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 as described below:
Rape: A person (A) commits an offence of rape if he intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person (B) with his penis, B does not consent to the penetration and A does not reasonably believe that B consents.
Assault by Penetration: A person (A) commits an offence if s/he intentionally penetrates the vagina or anus of another person (B) with a part of her/his body or anything else, the penetration is sexual, B does not consent to the penetration and A does not reasonably believe that B consents.
Sexual Assault: A person (A) commits an offence of sexual assault if: s/he intentionally touches another person (B), the touching is sexual, B does not consent to the touching and A does not reasonably believe that B consents. (Schools should be aware that sexual assault covers a very wide range of behaviour so a single act of kissing someone without consent or touching someone’s bottom/breasts/genitalia without consent, can still constitute sexual assault.)
Causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent: A person (A) commits an offence if: s/he intentionally causes another person (B) to engage in an activity, the activity is sexual, B does not consent to engaging in the activity, and A does not reasonably believe that B consents. (This could include forcing someone to strip, touch themselves sexually, or to engage in sexual activity with a third party.)
Behaviour characterised by the making of unwelcome and inappropriate sexual remarks or physical advances in a workplace, educational setting or other professional or social situation.
When referring to sexual harassment we mean ‘unwanted conduct of a sexual nature’ that can occur online and offline and both inside and outside of school/college. When we reference sexual harassment, we do so in the context of child-on-child sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is likely to: violate a child’s dignity, and/or make them feel intimidated, degraded or humiliated and/or create a hostile, offensive or sexualised environment.
Whilst not intended to be an exhaustive list, sexual harassment can include:
Although anyone can experience sexual harassment and violence, research indicates that girls are disproportionately affected. For example, 90% of recorded offences of rape in 2018–19 of 13 to 15-year-olds were committed against girls – (Ofsted Review into Sexual abuse in schools and colleges June 2021)
Ofsted reported that on their visits, girls told them that sexual harassment and online sexual abuse, such as being sent unsolicited explicit sexual material and being pressured to send nude pictures (‘nudes’), are much more prevalent than adults realise. For example, nearly 90% of girls, and nearly 50% of boys, said being sent explicit pictures or videos of things they did not want to see happens a lot or sometimes to them or their peers.
However, it is important to consider that there will be under reporting by males, and it can happen to both female and male students and between female, male and non-binary young people.
Child- on- Child (Peer- on- peer) abuse is most likely to include, but may not be limited to:
Sexual harassment and online sexual abuse, such as being sent unsolicited explicit sexual material and being pressured to send nude pictures (‘nudes’), are much more prevalent than adults realise. For example, nearly 90% of girls, and nearly 50% of boys, said being sent explicit pictures or videos of things they did not want to see happens a lot or sometimes to them or their peers.
Young people can also abuse their peers online. This can take the form of abusive, harassing, and misogynistic messages, the non-consensual sharing of indecent images, especially around chat groups, and the sharing of abusive images and pornography, to those who do not want to receive such content.
Addressing inappropriate behaviour (even if it appears to be relatively innocuous) is an important intervention that helps prevent problematic, abusive and/or violent behaviour in the future. Children who are victims of sexual violence and sexual harassment wherever it happens, will likely find the experience stressful and distressing. This will, likely, adversely affect their educational attainment and will be exacerbated if the alleged perpetrator(s) attends the same school or college.
Colleagues should be aware that safeguarding incidents and/or behaviours can be associated with factors outside the school or college, including intimate personal relationships.
Whilst any report of sexual violence or sexual harassment should be taken seriously, staff should be aware it is more likely that girls will be the victims of sexual violence and sexual harassment and more likely it will be perpetrated by boys. It is essential that all victims are reassured that they are being taken seriously and that they will be supported and kept safe.
Perpetrating sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking, domestic violence and/or sexual misconduct as outlined in the definitions section of this policy is never acceptable under any circumstances and may constitute a criminal offence. Perpetrating this behaviour is harmful to others’ health and wellbeing.
The behaviour listed in this policy can be perpetrated in person or online. Members of the College community are expected to adhere to this Policy while using social media and any other form of online interaction including email communication.
All reports of sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking, domestic violence and/or sexual misconduct will be taken seriously. Members of the College community found to be behaving in this way will be dealt with under the appropriate internal disciplinary procedures.
The Reporting Party, the Responding Party and any Witnesses will be treated fairly, with dignity and confidentiality throughout any process and may access relevant support services on campus.
All members of the College Community are expected to seek enthusiastic consent when interacting with others. Consent is agreeing by choice and having the freedom and capacity to make that choice.
Consent is not limited to a verbal “yes” or “no” – it involves paying attention and checking in with physical cues as well.
Consent is not ongoing: it needs to be negotiated every time you have sex and during sex as you start to do different activities. You must stop if you are not absolutely sure that you have someone’s consent. Any prior sexual activity or relationship, does not, in and of itself, constitute consent, regardless of any previous sexual activity that has taken place on that occasion or at any other time.
Consent may be withdrawn at any time (including during sex) and can never be implied, assumed or coerced. It is also important to note:
There are many possible power dynamics that people should be conscious of: gender, race, sexuality, gender identity, disability, age are some of the factors covered in the Equality Act 2010 that may intersect with how power is held by some people over others. Members of the College community are expected to recognise this in their interpersonal work/study relationships. Other factors may include class and if a position of authority is held.
The bystander effect is a social psychological phenomenon that occurs when the presence of others discourages an individual from intervening in a situation. This compounds people’s experiences by normalising and accepting inappropriate behaviour. All members of the College community have a responsibility to do or say something if they witness sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking, domestic violence and/or sexual misconduct and it is safe to intervene.
It is essential that all victims are reassured that they are being taken seriously, regardless of how long it has taken them to come forward and that they will be supported and kept safe. Abuse that occurs online or outside of the school or college should not be downplayed and should be treated equally seriously. A victim should never be given the impression that they are creating a problem by reporting sexual violence or sexual harassment. Nor should a victim ever be made to feel ashamed for making a report or their experience minimised. You can find out more information about the group’s Support Services by visiting the Safeguarding tile on SharePoint.
Trafford & Stockport College Group is committed to providing support for those members of its community directly or indirectly affected by these issues. TSCG will provide information on support resources available and offer interim measures as appropriate to the Reporting Party, Responding Party, Witnesses, and those supporting any of the above.
Support resources are available to any member of TSCG, regardless of their choice to proceed to a report either to the college or the Police. Support is available even if the perpetrator is not a member of the College community. In cases where those involved are members of the College community, support for the Reporting Party and Responding Party will be separate; one member of staff will not provide support to both parties.
A victim should never be given the impression that they are creating a problem by reporting sexual violence or sexual harassment. Nor should a victim ever be made to feel ashamed for making a report.
Information about TSCG and external support services can be found on the Safeguarding tile on SharePoint.
A disclosure is when someone informs another that they have experienced sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking, domestic violence and/or sexual misconduct. This may be the only step a Reporting Party takes, and it may not be clear from the beginning of a conversation that a disclosure is about to occur.
NSPCC/Childline – Sexual abuse | Childline If it’s happening to you, we can help. Call us on 0800 1111, or talk online on our 1-2-1 counsellor chat.
Learner Services Hub – Learner Services – Home (sharepoint.com)
Further reading/articles and useful resources
