Glasgow school staff have reported concerning behaviour being normalised and an increase in sexualised ‘banter’ as bids to tackle gender based violence are being rolled out.
Staff are seeing an increase in gendered insults and sexualised comments from pupils, according to feedback received by the council’s education department.
There are also concerns about the low numbers of pupils reporting problems, fearing being labelled ‘grasses’ according to a council report.
Gender-based violence predominantly impacts girls and women.
Secondary staff taking part in Equally Safe at School (ESAS) information sessions over the last year provided feedback on the situation in schools.
A council report said staff got a better understanding that gender based-violence includes “sexual harassment, coercive control, image-based harm, online abuse, sexism and harmful sexual behaviours, rather than being limited to physical violence.”
It added: “Participants also noted increased awareness of how normalised some of these concerning behaviours have become within school settings.”
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The report to be presented to next week’s council education committee added: “Staff also acknowledged that under-reporting remains a significant issue, with many young people reluctant to speak up for fear of being perceived as a “grass.”
“As a result, respondents emphasised the importance of clear and accessible reporting systems and the need for a coherent, whole-school approach to addressing gender-based violence.”
Other efforts to address gender based violence work at schools include PSE lessons, assemblies, campus police inputs and anti-bullying and safeguarding policies.
A peer education programme called Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) is also being rolled out, with some schools reporting strong engagement. It supports pupils to challenge gender based violence, looking at issues including sexting, controlling behaviour, sexual harassment and respect in relationships.
24 of Glasgow's mainstream secondary schools have been trained in MVP.
Councillors will receive an update on the ongoing work in relation to gender-based violence at next week’s education, skills and early years city policy committee.
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