Freedom of information requests to police forces have uncovered more than 8,500 sexual offences committed on or near school premises in England and Wales between 2021 and 2025, the majority involving victims under the age of 13, most of whom are girls. The stark figure, described by commentators as “as well as the severity of the offences, the youth of many victims is disturbing,” signals a persistent and deeply troubling pattern that demands an urgent, calibrated response from ministers, educators and families alike.
Scale and Nature of the Abuse
The data, drawn from 33 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales, reveal a disturbing volume of reported sexual violence against very young children. While the offences span a range of behaviours, the concentration of incidents involving under‑13s highlights a particular vulnerability within primary school settings. Although the exact age and sex of perpetrators are often missing from the records, the available information indicates that boys constitute the overwhelming majority of those responsible. The absence of data from Scotland and ten other forces means the true national picture could be even larger.
Reporting Trends and Data Limitations
Acting Chief Constable Becky Riggs, who leads child protection for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, cautioned that the increase might reflect a greater willingness to come forward rather than a rise in actual abuse: “the figures could reflect an increased willingness to report sexual abuse rather than more abuse taking place.” Nevertheless, experts stress that a substantial number of assaults likely remain hidden, and without comparable historical datasets it is impossible to gauge whether the problem is worsening. What is clear, however, is that a decade after a parliamentary committee urged ministers to treat school‑based sexual abuse as an “immediate policy priority,” the issue has not disappeared.
Policy Tools Under Review
Three main levers have been identified to tackle the crisis. First, relationships and sex education programmes must be updated to address emerging threats such as AI‑generated child sexual abuse material, ensuring they keep pace with technological change. Second, online safety measures — including age verification, tighter pornography restrictions and the government’s pledge to keep smartphones off‑limits for under‑16s — need robust enforcement. Third, the criminal justice system must improve its handling of victim reports, a task hampered by current resource pressures in courts and prisons. Ministers aiming to halve violence against women and girls will need all three strands to work in concert, backed by proper investment, training and rigorous evaluation.
Why a Whole‑Society Approach Is Essential
Relying solely on teachers to manage this complex safeguarding challenge is unrealistic; parents should also engage their children in open conversations about consent and safety. Politicians, too, must show bravery, especially as right‑wing and far‑right parties often weaponise discussions of sexual crime to stoke division and scapegoat immigrants. Avoiding the topic only allows the abuse to fester. As a society, we owe it to young people to confront the issue head‑on, combining education, regulation and justice to protect the most vulnerable.
Why it Matters
The revelation that thousands of very young children suffer sexual abuse in or around schools underscores a systemic failure that extends beyond the classroom. Without decisive, cross‑sector action — spanning education reform, online safety legislation and judicial support — the cycle of victimisation will continue, undermining efforts to halve violence against women and girls and eroding public trust in institutions tasked with safeguarding the young. Addressing this crisis is not only a moral imperative but a prerequisite for a healthier, safer future generation.
