CMA – Harmful Sexual Behaviour

Date Request Received: 10/04/2025  -  Date Response Sent: 08/05/2025

Details of Request

Please consider the following request in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act.

BBC News is conducting research into the challenges of handling harmful sexual behaviour in schools. We have received anecdotal evidence of schools facing multiple allegations with little external support – and having to design solutions to safeguard different parties. We hope to better understand the national picture and collate data on trends in this area. Please complete the attached survey, detailing the total number and nature of HSB incidents recorded for each of the last five academic years, including 2024/25 to date. Individual schools will not be named in respect of the information supplied in response to this request – unless this is directly agreed with the BBC, following a response – and students will not be identified.

The categories of HSBs can be found on the below link from paragraphs 458-461:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66d7301b9084b18b95709f75/Keeping_children_safe_in_education_2024.pdf

Details of Response