Thousands of child sexual offences reported at UK schools yearly

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 4 Oct, 19:54 · Archive

Police recorded nearly five sexual crimes daily against under-13s in English and Welsh schools between 2021 and 2025.

Police recorded an average of nearly five sexual crimes daily against children aged 12 and under in English and Welsh schools between 2021 and 2025. The Daily Mail reports that at least 8,500 sexual offences against children aged 13 or under were logged during that five-year period, including approximately 2,000 alleged rapes or attempted rapes.

The figures reveal the scale of child-on-child sexual abuse in schools. Lawyers and campaigners have described the situation as 'horrifying'. The investigation comes ten years after a report by MPs on the women and equalities committee first revealed the extent of sexual bullying, harassment and abuse that girls faced daily in English schools. The committee chair said the need for government action was 'overwhelming'.

How it is being reported

• Police receive reports of child rape at schools in England and Wales every single day, horrifying figures reveal - with 8,500 sexual offences against children under 13 logged in five yearsDaily Mail · 4 Oct, 19:44
• Thousands of child-on-child sexual offences reported at schools in England and WalesThe Guardian · 4 Oct, 16:00
• From unwanted touching to rape: the scale of child-on-child abuse in English and Welsh schoolsThe Guardian · 4 Oct, 16:00

In this story: England · Wales · Maria Miller · The Guardian

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem