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 cyber-bullying)
• Physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling, or otherwise causing physical harm.
•  Sexualised behaviour.
• Emotional abuse. (on or offline)

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How do we minimise the risk of child on child abuse?

At St. Benedict’s Catholic Primary School, we minimise the risk of child-on-child abuse in the following ways:

•  A high quality PSHE and RSE programme.
•  An anti bullying programme. (including cyber-bullying) 
•  Abehaviour 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 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.

At St. Benedict’s 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.