A PETITION has been launched calling for a zero tolerance approach to sexual harassment in schools after a report found that schoolgirls were routinely subjected to sexual name-calling, harassment and groping by classmates.
Pupils, some still in primary school, are being traumatised by exposure to hardcore pornography while a third of teenage girls aged 16 to 18 experience unwanted sexual touching at school, including having their bottoms slapped or skirts lifted up.
The findings have been revealed today[tue] in a report by Westminster's Women and Equalities Committee, which gathered evidence from organisations including the Girl Guides, whose members - including those in Scotland - reported that sexual harassment such as groping and cat-calling was "often dismissed as 'banter' or a 'compliment'" by teachers who insisted they were "over-reacting or being over-sensitive".
Read more: Edel Harris - Harnessing the Power of Diversity
One 18-year-old Guide, from Glasgow, said she had been "groped more times than I can remember" in school corridors.
She added: "It was weird, as a girl you were expected just to put up with it. To admit it upset you reflected badly on you and not the boys."
Others spoke of male classmates openly debating "which girls were wearing padded bras and which weren't" or threatening schoolgirls with the "dirty, disgusting things" they wanted to do to them.
The charity, which is now spearheading calls for a crackdown on sexual harassment in schools with a petition calling on education ministers, including Scotland's John Swinney, to back a zero tolerance approach, said anxiety over sexual bullying was eroding schoolgirls' confidence to take part in lessons.
Sue Walker, Girlguiding Scotland’s Chief Commissioner, said: "It’s disturbing to see that sexual harassment is a daily reality for girls and young women at schools across Scotland, with too many feeling their concerns continue to be dismissed.
Read more: Edel Harris - Harnessing the Power of Diversity
"Our young members are calling for urgent action and asking the Scottish Parliament to help makes girls’ lives better in schools."
The Committee's report said there was not enough information to show sexual harassment and violence was a growing problem in schools but there was "significant" evidence to suggest that easier access to pornography was exacerbating the problem.
It warned that the type of pornography many children were exposed to was often "more extreme" than adults realised and it was having a "negative impact" on youngsters.
Pupils also reported hearing girls being called a "slut" or a "slag" on a regular basis, according to the Committee, which warned that schools were not doing enough to tackle sexual harassment in classrooms and playgrounds which "has been outlawed in the adult workplace".
Meanwhile, researchers writing today in the BMJ Open journal have criticised schools in the UK for delivering "out of touch" sex education.
Read more: Edel Harris - Harnessing the Power of Diversity
The review warned that lessons were overly focused on abstinence, taught by "poorly trained, embarrassed teachers", with little or no discussion of gay, bisexual, or transgender sex.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “We want every child and young person in Scotland to develop mutually respectful, responsible and confident relationships with other children, young people and adults.
“We published updated guidance for teachers on relationships, sexual health and parenthood education in 2014. The guidance encourages equality and mutual respect from an early age and will support teachers deal with issues such as misogyny in schools.
“At the same time, our Mentors in Violence Prevention Scotland Programme is working hard to tackle gender stereotyping and attitudes that condone violence against women and girls.”
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