Lesson 6 of 7 · 5 min · 8-card deck

Child-on-child abuse

Including bullying, sexual harassment, harmful sexual behaviour and 'banter'.

Child-on-child abuse (the term KCSIE uses, replacing 'peer-on-peer') is abuse perpetrated by one young person against another. It includes bullying (including cyberbullying), physical abuse, sexual violence and harassment, sharing of nude images, sexting, initiation rituals, upskirting and so-called 'banter' that crosses into harm.

Critically, KCSIE is explicit that schools must not dismiss these behaviours as 'just banter', 'just having a laugh', or 'a normal part of growing up'. These framings have been used historically to minimise serious harm, particularly sexual harassment of girls.

Active recall flashcards

Work through every card. Try to answer in your head before flipping — the act of retrieving is what builds durable memory.

Card 1 of 80 understood

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Practice scenario

A Year 9 girl reports that boys in her class shared a doctored explicit image of her in a group chat. The teacher refers to the DSL the same day. The school responds with a safeguarding plan for the girl and a separate safeguarding/disciplinary process for the boys involved.

Try this in your classroom

Never dismiss harmful behaviour as 'banter'.
Treat reports of sexual harassment with full safeguarding weight.
Both victim and perpetrator children need a safeguarding response.
Use precise language in records — not euphemisms.