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EXCLUSIVE: Former JFS pupil says she was threatened with rape and bullied
Woman says the months of abuse she experienced, which took place in the 1980s, led to her leaving the school
September 2, 2021 15:35
Woman says the months of abuse she experienced, which took place in the 1980s, led to her leaving the school
September 2, 2021 15:35A former JFS pupil has alleged she was sexually harassed, threatened with rape and subjected to “relentless” bullying by fellow students during the late 1980s.
The woman, now in her early fifties, claimed the historic abuse began when she was 15 and continued for around 18 months, escalating to a sexual assault threat.
“I was alone in this and although I was a strong kid, I was absolutely intimidated,” she told the JC, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “I had no words or resources for handling this.”
The woman, whose ordeal resulted in her transfer to another Jewish public school, said she was targeted with crude gestures and “sexual invitations” after refusing to engage in sexual behaviour with other pupils.
She received phone calls at home and during school hours hid from other pupils to avoid the daily harassment she faced in the playground “because otherwise it was just hell”, she said.
She recalled having a breakdown several months after the abuse began, at which point she opened up to her parents and her revelations “just exploded in our house that morning."
Her parents contacted the school, but she felt “there was no support at all” from leaders.
“I would suggest this is not a problem confined to JFS but perhaps that the religious culture prevents honest discussion,” she said.
“I was a very young girl and I feel I was badly let down by all involved and that’s simply not acceptable and it deeply saddens me that it’s still happening.”
She said she was inspired to speak up by recent coverage of safeguarding issues at JFS highlighted in a damning Ofsted report published in June.
Since the report's publication school leaders have vowed to address disciplinary issues highlighted by inspectors and set up a new central system to report safeguarding concerns.
Other changes have included asking University College London professor Peter Fonagy to undertake a review into student wellbeing and bringing in Dame Joan McVittie, a former London school head, to oversee safeguarding practices.
The issue of sexual harassment in schools was brought to the fore nationally in June after the inspectorate warned the problem had become “normalised” for young people across the country.
Anyone affected by abuse in schools can contact the Report Abuse in Education helpline for support on 0800 136 663 or email help@nspcc.org.uk
JFS declined to comment.