Benjamin Britten Academy of Music & Mathematics

It is important to recognise that abuse isn’t always perpetrated by adults; children can abuse other children and it can happen both inside and outside of educational settings and online. This is referred to as 'peer on peer abuse' and can include:

• bullying, including cyberbullying, prejudice-based and discriminatory bullying
• abuse in intimate personal relationships between peers
• physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling, or otherwise causing physical harm; this may include an online element which facilitates, threatens and/or encourages physical abuse
• sexual violence, such as rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault; this may include an online element which facilitates, threatens and/or encourages sexual violence
• sexual harassment, such as sexual comments, remarks, jokes and online sexual harassment, which may be standalone or part of a broader pattern of abuse
• causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent
• consensual and non-consensual sharing of nude and semi nude images and or videos (also known as sexting or youth produced sexual imagery)
• ‘Upskirting’ which involves taking a picture under someone’s clothing without them knowing; this is usually with the intention of viewing their genitals or buttocks for sexual gratification, or cause the victim humiliation, distress or alarm. Upskirting is a criminal offence and anyone of any gender, can be a victim
• initiation/hazing type violence and rituals.

Peer-on-peer sexual abuse is sexual abuse that happens between children of a similar age or stage of development. It can happen between any number of children and can affect any age group (Department for Education (DfE), 2018).

If you or someone you know in Benjamin Britten School has been a victim of Peer on Peer abuse contact the Designated Safegurding lead on 01502 582312

Useful links

NSPCC Helpline - 0800 1111

Action for Children -Action for Children work directly with children, young people, parents and carers, particularly those facing difficult situations. Action for Children runs 650 services across the UK, tackling a wide range of issues affecting young people, children in care, and children with disabilities such as child neglect, abuse and mental health. 

 0300 123 2112 or Email: ask.us@actionforchildren.org.uk​​​​​​​

Barnardos​​​​​​​ - We help hundreds of thousands of children, young people, parents and carers via our 800+ services across the UK. The scale of what we do may be big and complex, but our aim is simple – to provide the best outcome for every child, no matter who they are or what they have been through.

0208 550 8822​​​​​​​ or