Jersey students claim sexual harassment and abuse so prolific it became 'normalised'

Sexual harassment and abuse was so prolific for some Jersey students it became 'normalised', a report has revealed.

Sixty-eight allegations were made by pupils from Jersey College for Girls (JCG) and involved students at neighbouring boys school Victoria College.

They documented verbal abuse, sexual and homophobic taunts, intimidating physical behaviour and online harassment. Some claimed harassment was so commonplace it had become a 'daily experience'.Fifty-five potential crimes were identified by police, including one rape, all of which had gone unreported.

In response to concerns around women's safety in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard two students collected testimonies from two online surveys from girls in Year 12 and 13 in March.

The online surveys were brought to the attention of JCG's Principal, Carl Howarth, in March and the Headmaster of VCJ shortly after.

Police and children's services were contacted two weeks later.

However, an independent review by Jersey's Safeguarding Partnership Board has criticised the schools' handling of the allegations.

It said police and children's services should have been called in sooner after serious incidents came to light.

The review also said a confidentiality agreement struck with the students had meant appropriate safeguarding had not been able to be put in place.

Detective Superintendent Alison Fossey said it had also hindered the force's ability to act.

She added the force had since encouraged girls to come forward to police but as of yet none had.

Mark Rogers, Jersey's Director of Children's Services said he believed the schools had good intentions but hoped a lesson had been learned.

However, the review acknowledged the Principal of JCG acted swiftly and positively to the allegations and praised pupils for their courage and maturity coming forward and ‘it was clear their focus was promoting a culture of change.’

Since they came to light, both schools say they have undertaken work to improve the situation.

Staff have been put in place to supervise students on their way to and from school and age appropriate assemblies have been conducted by States of Jersey Police and School and Youth Focus.

Recommendations have also been made to engage students in small group sessions to discuss harmful sexual behaviour and use a curriculum based approach to tackle a culture where reporting is perceived as snitching.

The ultimate goal being that ‘schools develop an environment where children and young people can talk to professionals about abuse' and noted that the issues raised had 'implications' for not only JCG and VCJ but every school in Jersey.