Sexual abuse toolkit
This toolkit supports educators, RSHE leads and Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) to prevent, identify and respond to sexual abuse, harmful sexual behaviour, sexual harassment and sexual violence. It should be used alongside your setting’s safeguarding policies and procedures and current statutory guidance.
High quality RSHE is a vital part of safeguarding and prevention. From September 2026, schools are required to implement the revised statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance, which strengthens learning around healthy relationships, consent, personal boundaries, online safety, image-sharing, harmful sexual behaviour, sexual harassment, sexual violence and seeking support. These themes should be embedded within a whole-school approach to safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusion.
Schools play a key role in creating safe, respectful and inclusive environments where children feel able to speak out, seek help and understand what healthy relationships look like. Sexual abuse and harmful sexual behaviour should never be dismissed as ‘banter’, ‘part of growing up’ or ‘boys being boys’. All concerns should be taken seriously and responded to in line with safeguarding procedures.
This toolkit also supports the aims of the Hertfordshire Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy 2026–2029, recognising the important role of schools in preventing abuse through education, promoting healthy relationships, challenging harmful attitudes and behaviours, and ensuring children and young people know how and where to seek help.
This toolkit brings together current guidance, practical resources and support services to help schools strengthen prevention, respond effectively to concerns and support children and young people.
Key guidance
- UKCIS: Sharing Nudes and Semi-Nudes – Advice for Education Settings
(Updated, March 2024)
This page and the resources within it should be read alongside your school’s safeguarding policies, local procedures and statutory guidance.