Children and adults in the UK have anonymously reported experiences of sexual abuse and harassment at 1,664 primary schools through a website designed for survivor stories. The website is calling for age-appropriate sex education to be taught to children under the age of nine.
Reports of sexual harassment, groping, and even forced penetration have been documented on everyoneinvited.uk, with at least one testimony relating to an incident when the victim was as young as five. One 12-year-old wrote about being approached by three teenage boys in a car, who demanded she join them. Despite her refusal, one of the boys grabbed her wrist and proceeded to sexually abuse her in the car. She described feeling frightened and unable to fight back.
The website explains that the schools listed, which they have decided to name, were included due to both past and recent reports of abuse. A spokesperson for the website, Sophie Lennox, stated that while most testimonies come from individuals looking back on their experiences, there is anecdotal evidence of children as young as five submitting their stories with the help of adults such as child therapists or parents.
Lennox emphasized that the website is not suggesting a specific age at which teachers should deliver specific content, but rather working with schools to determine an appropriate time to teach different aspects of relationships and sex education. They believe that across the board, this education needs to be delivered at an earlier age than the current minimum, which is nine years old.
Daniel Kebede, the general secretary of the National Education Union, stated that primary school teachers are reporting incidents of sexist behavior in their schools, which affects how children play together and girls’ self-perception. He argued that age-appropriate health and sex education is crucial for supporting young people as they navigate relationships.
The government spokesperson acknowledged that these testimonies highlight deeply concerning issues and emphasized the importance of teaching healthy relationships, boundaries, and consent from an early age. They
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/22/raped-at-the-age-of-10-accounts-of-sexual-abuse-and-harassment-at-1664-uk-primary-schools-reported
