Sexual harassment prevalent in Suffolk's young people - survey

The Suffolk survey found many young people said they had seen at least one form of potential sexual harassment at their school or college

Peer on peer sexual harassment is prevalent among young people, a county-wide survey has found.

Healthwatch Suffolk surveyed 13,000 people aged between 11 and 19 - and up to 25 years for those with special educational needs or disabilities.

The findings are part of an overall state of young people in the county.

Chief executive Andy Yacoub said: "There needs to be [not only] a whole school approach, but a whole system approach too".

The survey has been conducted for the last eight years alongside other professional groups and student bodies.

• BBC SOUNDS: Healthwatch Suffolk reveals survey findings

It found an "upturn" in well-being for the first time since the pandemic, but still revealed "cause for concern".

The survey showed that more than 2,100 young people had seen the "sharing of images or videos of other students of a sexual nature".

Almost 3,900 had seen or heard people using homophobic language - and 1,768 had seen other "unwanted sexual behaviour".

Key Findings

• Just a third of respondents said they would feel confident to report sexual harassment

• 37% of young people had "moderate" or "severe" anxiety levels in 2023, compared to 41% in 2022

• Nearly a quarter were either "worried" or "very worried" about the rising cost of living

• Those who felt they had someone to talk to about their well-being at school and college were much less likely to be unhappy with school

Mr Yacoub added: "Because there are so many respondents, it really is difficult to ignore.

"There is a prevalence of peer on peer sexual harassment, and sexual violence, including online."

Fiona Ellis, the chief executive of Survivors in Transition, who were involved with the survey, said: "We have seen the numbers of young people needing support around sexual violence, especially peer on peer abuse and harassment increasing year on year at alarming rates.

"Sadly, for many young women in particular, this is becoming a cultural norm, as was reported in Ofsted's 2021 rapid review of sexual abuse in schools.

The survey also gauged the state of young people's well-being, including worries regarding the cost of living crisis and optimism for their future.

Mr Yacoub said: "Those who felt as though they had someone to speak to about their well-being at school or college were three times less likely to experience low well-being, which is really positive".

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [e-mail] or WhatsApp [phone]