Children under five-years-old have been accused of rape and sexual assault in a UK county, shocking new figures have revealed. A total of 444 offences in school-age children in Norfolk have been reported since 2020, Freedom of Information data requested by the Eastern Daily Press has shown – with some of the alleged perpetrators under five-years-old.
The statistics, released by Norfolk Constabulary and seen by the Express, shed light on the concerning trend in southern England – particularly aimed at young girls, who were the victims of 70% of the reported cases. Of the children allegedly behind the sexual offences, 45 were aged under 10-years-old and 10 were under five-years-old, with 15% of the reports made in primary schools. While the TV drama Adolescence shone fresh light on peer-on-peer sexual abuse among school children in March, charities including Rape Crisis have been calling for an increased focus on the problem for years.
Of the alleged crimes committed by the youngest children, data showed that eight children under five-years-old were accused of sexually assaulting both girls and boys aged below 13, while two children under five were named as suspects in the rape of a boy, also under 13.
Meanwhile, 67% of the recorded offences were committed at secondary schools, with the most common crime sexual assault on girls aged over 13.
Rape Crisis and other charities wrote to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips in January, calling for increased guidance and safeguarding.
“Frontline rape crisis workers frequently hear – and report concerns – about inappropriate and inadequate responses from schools when pupils are experiencing sexual abuse,” Rape Crisis England and Wales CEO Ciara Bergman said.
“Schools and teachers need support to respond to peer-on-peer abuse in a way that doesn’t further re-traumatise victims and survivors or breach their legal and ethical duties of care.”
The data from Norfolk showed that 91% of reported cases led to a charge, with over 400 suspects receiving sexual offence charges since 2020.
Scott Lyons, Norfolk Secretary of the National Education Union (NEU) told the EDP: “This makes for grim reading and it confirms our own data. We have found there are serious challenges to sexual safety in schools, including seeing an increase in younger perpetrators, aged under 10-years-old.
“The 63 primary school offences among the 444 reported suggest external influences are driving young sexualised behaviour and we need schools to do more to challenge parental behaviour,” Mr Lyons added.
“The problem is likely larger than reported – violent and sexual behaviour is notoriously under-reported in schools.”
A spokesperson for Norfolk Police said: “All offences are recorded and investigated at an appropriate level given the individual circumstances. Victims are provided with the highest level of support and care whilst a thorough investigation is carried out.”
