EXCLUSIVE: Police training more officers to handle reports of child on child sexual abuse in schools
Our investigation has uncovered a growing trend of child on child sex abuse on school grounds across Merseyside and Cheshire between 2019-2023, according to police figures.
The National Police Chief's Council has told us a rise in child on child sexual assaults in schools across Merseyside and Cheshire is being taken very seriously, with more officers and staff being trained to support victims.
It's after our exclusive investigation uncovered a total of nearly 380 reports have been made to the local police forces in the last 5 years, where the offender was aged 16 or younger.
This so-called 'peer on peer' abuse involves a child sexually assaulting another child in their class, year group or wider school population.
Ian Critchley is the National Police Chief's Council lead for child protection, he's urging victims to find the courage to come forward: "I totally understand the concerns that young people may have about reporting this. They're often scared and concerned about the consequences for them. It should never be accepted - there are people there to help.
"Schools are really developing their approach to this now with pastoral care. So whether it's a parent, someone in a pastoral role in school, or direct to police, I urge people who have been offended against to please reach out. There is help and there is light in what must be a very difficult and dark place. Please reach out and it will be dealt with in a very caring and compassionate way.
A 2020 survey by the Victims Commissioner suggests that whilst legal justice is one of the end results that victims hope for, the most important outcome is to feel believed and supported.
Critchley continued: "We work very hard with our partners to make sure that when someone does come forward, they will be believed and they will be trusted and dealt with in the most appropriate way. There is a way out of the darkness that they are in based on the appalling offences that have been committed against them.
"Please don't suffer in silence, whether you report to police, to one of the brilliant charities that we work with, or someone who is trusted around you - Please take that step because once you've done that we can start helping you to move forward. We can never take away the offence that has been committed but we can help you with the path forward. There is hope and there is a service there that really does truly care."
Where can I get support if I've been a victim?
If you've been affected by any of the content in this article, you can report incidents to your local police force or safeguarding teams within your school.
You can also access alternative support here:
Victims of sexual assault can speak to the teams at Victim Support or Childline.
Find out more about the Everyone's Invited project here.