8. Debate on the Children, Young People and Education Committee’s Report — 'Everybody’s affected: Peer on peer sexual harassment among learners'

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:53 pm on 26 October 2022.

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Photo of Joyce Watson Joyce Watson Labour 4:53, 26 October 2022

I want to thank that committee for this report and all those people who've contributed towards it. I'd particularly like to thank the Everyone's Invited movement for shining a light on the prevalence of peer-on-peer sexual harassment. I was pleased to read that the Welsh Government have agreed to adopt Estyn's definition of sexual harassment, as recommended in the report. As the report points out, peer-on-peer sexual harassment is so prevalent amongst school-age children and young people that it has become normalised. That is extremely worrying. Many children and young people may not even realise that what they're experiencing is sexual harassment. So, having a clear definition is really important. It will help clarify what behaviour is considered as sexual harassment, and I hope that will help pupils feel empowered to report incidents to teachers, parents and any other organisation. I also believe that it will give clarity to those who are being confided in that the individual is being subject to sexual harassment as opposed to bullying, as an example.

The report highlights that many young people felt that there should be more education on the subject, and having a definition will be particularly helpful in delivering education on sexual harassment in schools. And I'd be keen to know if the Welsh Government has had any discussion with other agencies about adopting the same definition, because it would be joined-up working that will drive change.

According to the school list on the Everyone's Invited website, there are testimonials from pupils in every single local authority area in Wales. Moving forward, I believe that it will be essential that there is honest and regular reporting in each local authority area; schools must be actively encouraged to report incidents to the local authority; and there must be support in place for both the school and the pupil reporting peer-on-peer sexual harassment. As we know, a huge proportion of sexual harassment is carried out online. Having access to social media messaging platforms has made it much easier for pupils to both carry out harassment and to be targeted by it. A person being targeted may not even attend the same school or college as the person who is carrying out that behaviour. So, I think it would be hugely beneficial for children and young people to have some clear guidance on how to report incidents in those cases. Working together and with our children and young people is absolutely paramount. Minister, what action will the Welsh Government take to respond to the role that social media and being online has on peer-on-peer sexual harassment? 

And finally, it is essential that children are taught and understand how to respect each other, and I know that the new curriculum aims to do that, because if that doesn't happen—and this is really worrying evidence—if this is perceived as normal behaviour, those children will be the adults of tomorrow, and they will be taking forward those harmful views into life with them. So, I thank the committee very much for this, and I look forward to the Minister's response.