Abuse through sexual image sharing in schools: Response and responsibility

ABSTRACT

The question of how to tackle abuse through adolescent sexual image sharing is an increasing concern for schools, yet little is known about how they should respond. In this article, I review school responses to this phenomenon. The findings presented are taken from a mixed-methods study into harmful sexual behaviour carried out in seven educational settings across four local authorities in England. Using data from focus groups, observations, case reviews and reviews of policies and procedures I present findings on abuse through image sharing including suggestions for safer school environments. I argue that responses to adolescent sexting must move beyond risk aversion and challenge the very socio-cultural systems that enable abuse through sexual image sharing. Achieving this requires responses that recognise developing adolescent sexuality within a digital age and understanding what works in practice for schools and young people. Concurrently, schools have responsibility to challenge socio-cultural norms underlying harmful sexual practices between young people.

KEYWORDS:

• Sexting
• schools
• revenge porn
• contextual safeguarding
• harmful sexual behaviour

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank all the participants who contributed to this research and the input and advice of the research team, Carlene Firmin and Joanne Walker. Thanks also to the two anonymous reviewers and Zoë Croom.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Jenny Lloyd is a Research Fellow at the University of Bedfordshire’s International Centre: Researching child sexual exploitation, violence and trafficking. Her current research interests focus on peer-on-peer abuse, gendered violence and participatory approaches to working with young people.

Notes

1 Extract from focus group with boys.

2 Sexting was often referred to as ‘sending nudes’ by young people.

3 There are other non-harmful uses of bait out pages

4 The extract is a summary of the conversation with verbatim quotes as written notes were taken at the group’s request.