Child Sex Offenses in Schools: Shocking Figures Emerge

Police in England and Wales have received an average of nearly five reports per day of sexual crimes against children aged 12 and younger, according to a recent investigation. Between 2021 and 2025, authorities logged at least 8,500 sexual offenses involving children aged 13 or under, a figure that translates to approximately 4.7 incidents daily.

This total includes nearly 2,000 alleged rapes and attempted rapes over the five-year period, averaging one such allegation at a school in England and Wales each day. More than a third of these alleged rape victims were under the age of 13. The data was compiled from freedom of information requests sent to 43 police forces, with 33 responding.

While the majority of reports do not specify the age of the accused, it is understood that perpetrators are most likely to be fellow students. The investigation also revealed an additional 6,140 crimes related to the possession, creation, or distribution of indecent images of children under 18.

In at least 1,890 of the reported sexual offenses against victims under 13, the perpetrator was identified as being under 18. Girls were disproportionately affected, making up nearly two-thirds of victims in cases where gender was specified.

Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children's Commissioner for England, described child-on-child sexual abuse in schools as "widespread, normalized and too often brushed under the carpet." She stated, "We have taken important steps in the last few years. But as these figures show we have a long way to go. This is not simply a school or college issue, it is a societal one."

A government spokesperson called the figures "appalling," emphasizing schools' statutory duty to address sexual violence and harassment. "No child should be unsafe at school, and no child should have to carry this alone," the spokesperson said. Measures include making it a statutory duty for schools to respond to such incidents and training staff to identify and support victims. The government also highlighted its strategy to halve violence against women and girls, which includes educating young people on healthy relationships and consent, and enacting the Online Safety Act to combat harmful online content.