‘Rape culture’ claims from top independent schools ‘must be shared with police’

Claims of rape, sexual abuse and misogyny have been made by pupils at several independent schools
Pupils stage a protest against rape culture at Highgate School
REUTERS

Allegations of sexual violence and harassment in schools should be reported to police, England’s Children’s Commissioner said today after a flurry of complaints from pupils in London. 

Dulwich College is believed to be the first school to report its own pupils to the Met police after an open letter accused the institution of being a “breeding ground for sexual predators”.

It follows allegations on the website Everyone’s Invited, where students from many schools and universities have posted anonymously about their experiences of assault.

Other schools highlighted include Highgate School and Latymer Upper in Hammersmith.

Children’s commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza told the BBC: “It’s really distressing, and we get lots of testimony like this.”

She said there was “very clear advice on sexual violence and harassment” for schools, and serious incidents  “must be escalated to both social care and to the police”.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told the Times: “I would encourage anyone who is aware of any specific incidents and feels comfortable reporting their concerns to do so. Where schools do not meet the strict safeguarding standards that we have in place, we will always take action.”

More than 100 testimonies alleging sexual harassment by Dulwich College boys were published in an open letter by ex-student Samuel Schulenburg, 19. 

Staff at the £21,000-a-year school  identified pupils to the Met in the wake of the claims.

In a letter to parents, headteacher Joe Spence said: “Since the publication of the open letter a small number of individuals have come forward naming their abusers and in these cases Dulwich College has either disciplined those pupils or, where there has been an allegation of criminal behaviour, passed the case on to the police.”

Many alleged victims studied at neighbouring James Allen’s Girls’ School. A JAGS spokesman said: “The incidents highlighted are entirely unacceptable. We will act upon any matters brought to our attention, offering full and unequivocal support to those students who come forward, and reporting to the relevant external authorities where appropriate.”

Highgate School’s governing body said it was “truly sorry” about abuse allegations and had commissioned an external review to be led by Dame Anne Rafferty. “We will make public its findings when they are available, and we are committed to taking whatever action is required to achieve the necessary culture change,” the school said.

Latymer Upper School has reported allegations to the Met and has notified Hammersmith and Fulham council’s children’s services, but was unable to give names because the complaints were anonymous. The £20,000-a-year school said in a statement: “We take all such issues very seriously.”

A spokesman for the Met Police, commenting on the reporting of Dulwich College pupils, said: “Police received two separate allegations of non-recent sexual assault on Thursday, 25 March. Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing; there have been no arrests.”

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