London — Nearly five child-on-child sexual offences were reported to police every day in schools across England and Wales between 2021 and 2025, according to a Guardian investigation. The analysis, based on police-recorded crime data, revealed thousands of incidents involving children aged 12 and under, including multiple cases of rape and unwanted physical contact.
Lawyers and campaigners responding to the findings described the scale as ‘horrifying,’ highlighting systemic concerns about safeguarding in educational settings. The offences occurred in both primary and secondary schools and ranged from minor incidents of unwanted touching to serious sexual assaults and rape.
Key Facts
- Offences occurred in primary and secondary schools in England and Wales
- Timeframe for reported incidents: 2021 to 2025
- Included multiple cases of rape alongside less severe incidents
- Analysis conducted by The Guardian using police data
The Scope of Reported Incidents
The Guardian analyzed official police-recorded crime data spanning four years, finding that child-on-child sexual abuse in schools reached alarming levels. With an average of nearly five cases reported each day, the total number of incidents translated into thousands of victims, most of whom were under the age of 13.
These incidents were not isolated events but part of a disturbingly consistent pattern. Schools in both England and Wales were affected, indicating that this issue extends beyond individual institutions and reflects broader safeguarding challenges.
What Types of Abuse Were Involved?
The reported incidents varied widely in severity, from inappropriate touching to full sexual penetration. Rape was among the more extreme cases identified by the investigation, underscoring the breadth of harm experienced by young pupils.
School environments, typically considered safe spaces for learning and development, appear to have become venues where such abuse takes place. Experts say this raises urgent questions about staff awareness, student education, and institutional responsibility.
What We Know — and What We Don’t
Verified by the source:
- Police recorded nearly five child-on-child sexual offences daily in schools from 2021–2025
- Data included incidents involving children aged 12 and younger
- Offences ranged from unwanted touching to rape
- All cases occurred within primary and secondary schools in England and Wales
Still unconfirmed:
- Total estimated number of victims or perpetrators involved
- Breakdown by region or type of school
- Specific actions taken by schools after reports were made
- Long-term psychological impact on affected children
Why It Matters
Child-on-child sexual abuse undermines foundations of trust in public education systems and reveals gaps in child protection frameworks. As communities grapple with how best to support vulnerable youth, transparent reporting becomes essential to driving accountability and reform.
What To Watch
Further investigations may shed light on institutional responses and policy changes. Advocates are calling for strengthened safeguarding protocols in schools nationwide.