Child-on-child abuse is abuse of a child by another child. It can be physical, sexual, emotional or online, and it can happen in school, outside school or on a phone. It is the term Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) uses; you may still hear the older name, peer-on-peer abuse. KCSIE 2026, in force since 1 September 2026, says it should never be passed off as “banter”, “just having a laugh”, “part of growing up” or “boys being boys”, and that a lack of reports “does not mean it is not happening”. Every concern goes to the designated safeguarding lead (DSL), and both children involved need support.
At a glance: Nexis CPD offers a £9 CPD-accredited online Safeguarding Children (Advanced) Level 2 course — 100% online, with an instantly emailed, employer-verifiable certificate. Any three courses cost £18, and teams of 5 or more pay £6 a course place.
General information, not legal advice — if a child is in immediate danger, call 999. Always follow your setting’s child protection policy and your local safeguarding partnership’s procedures. This guide covers England unless we say otherwise.
What is child-on-child abuse?
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, the statutory guidance for schools and colleges in England, says all staff should be aware “that children can abuse other children (often referred to as child-on-child abuse), and that it can happen both inside and outside of school or college and online”. Three points stand out:
- It is a safeguarding issue, not just a behaviour issue: “a safeguarding issue for both the victim and alleged perpetrator”.
- It is preventable: “timely, evidence-based support can be key to preventing children from going on to commit abuse or violence”.
- It can happen anywhere: staff should keep an attitude of “it could happen here”, and schools should try to be alert to when children are most at risk, for example immediately after school.
Child-on-child abuse can involve any of the four categories in our guide to the types of child abuse. For the bigger picture, see what safeguarding children means.
What are examples of child-on-child abuse?
Paragraph 37 of KCSIE 2026 says child-on-child abuse “is most likely to include, but may not be limited to”:
- “bullying (including cyberbullying, prejudice-based and discriminatory bullying)”
- “discriminatory behaviour, including racism, faith-targeted abuse, and other prejudice-based incidents”
- “abuse in intimate personal relationships between children (sometimes known as ‘teenage relationship abuse’)”
- “physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling, or otherwise causing physical harm (this may include an online element which facilitates, threatens and/or encourages physical abuse)”
- “serious physical assault and harm, or the threat of harm with a weapon”
- “sexual violence such as rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault (this may include an online element which facilitates, threatens and/or encourages sexual violence)”
- “sexual harassment such as sexual comments, remarks, jokes and online sexual harassment, which may be standalone or part of a broader pattern of abuse”
- “causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent, such as forcing someone to strip, touch themselves sexually, or to engage in sexual activity with a third party”
- “consensual and non-consensual making or sharing of nudes and semi-nudes”
- “upskirting which typically involves taking a picture under a person’s clothing without their permission, with the intention of viewing their genitals or buttocks to obtain sexual gratification, or cause the victim humiliation, distress, or alarm”
- “initiation/hazing type violence and rituals (this could include activities involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group and may also include an online element)”
Racist incidents can also be hate crimes, as our guide to what a hate crime is explains, and our Understanding Bullying course covers bullying in depth.
What changed about child-on-child abuse in KCSIE 2026?
Compared with the 2025 edition, the list adds two forms: discriminatory behaviour, and “serious physical assault and harm, or the threat of harm with a weapon”. “Sharing of nude and semi-nude images and/or videos (also known as sexting or youth produced sexual imagery)” becomes “making or sharing of nudes and semi-nudes”, and KCSIE’s definition of nudes now covers images “wholly generated using artificial intelligence”, including deepfakes. The section is retitled “Child-on-child abuse (including harassment and violence)”.
Part five, now “Child-on-child sexual harassment and sexual violence” (paragraphs 529 to 650), was “substantially rewritten to highlight the progressive continuum from harmful sexual behaviour through to sexual violence”. Our guide to KCSIE covers the rest of the guidance.
Why should child-on-child abuse never be dismissed as banter?
Because dismissing it teaches children that abuse is normal. KCSIE warns that “dismissing sexual harassment as ‘just banter'” can lead to “a culture of unacceptable behaviour, misogyny, an unsafe environment for children” and, at worst, “a culture that normalises abuse leading to children accepting it as normal and not coming forward to report it”.
So KCSIE says every child protection policy should make clear “there should be a zero-tolerance approach to abuse”. KCSIE adds that for some, but not all, forms girls are more likely to be victims and boys perpetrators, “but that all child-on-child abuse is unacceptable and will be taken seriously”. Zero tolerance does not mean identical sanctions. It means every incident gets a response: a challenge, a record and a proportionate decision.
Why is child-on-child abuse under-reported?
In June 2021 Ofsted published a review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges after visiting 32 schools and colleges and speaking to more than 900 children and young people. Ofsted says its sample was not fully representative, but it found:
- “nearly 90% of girls, and nearly 50% of boys, said being sent explicit pictures or videos of things they did not want to see happens a lot or sometimes to them or their peers”
- “for some children, incidents are so commonplace that they see no point in reporting them”
- children feared they would not be believed, would be blamed, or would get friends into trouble
- professionals “consistently underestimated the prevalence of online sexual abuse”
Ofsted recommended that schools and their partners “act as though sexual harassment and online sexual abuse are happening, even when there are no specific reports”. KCSIE adds that some children, including disabled children, face extra barriers to telling, and that children may not recognise what is happening as harmful.
What are the signs of child-on-child abuse?
Ofsted found professionals “still rely too much on children telling someone about abuse instead of recognising other indicators, such as emotional or behavioural changes”. KCSIE says children may instead “show signs or behave in ways that signal distress, hoping that adults will notice and react”. Treat these as prompts to speak to your DSL, not proof:
- Mood: a child who has become withdrawn, anxious, angry or tearful.
- Avoidance: rising absence, or avoiding certain lessons, toilets, break times or school transport.
- Friendships: a sudden change of friends, being left out, or becoming the subject of rumours.
- Physical signs: unexplained injuries, or damaged clothing or belongings.
- Online: distress after using a phone, or secrecy about group chats or images.
- Indirect disclosure: a friend’s worry, or an overheard conversation.
- A child causing harm: sexualised language or behaviour unusual for their age, controlling a partner, or repeatedly targeting others.
Some children show no outward signs at all. Responding to a disclosure and knowing when to refer are core parts of our Safeguarding Children (Advanced) Level 2 course.
How does child-on-child abuse happen online?
KCSIE says it can include “abusive, harassing, and misogynistic/misandrist messages”, the non-consensual making or sharing of nudes or semi-nudes, “especially around chat groups”, and sending pornography to children who do not want it.
KCSIE says taking and sharing nude photographs of under-18s, “including those generated using AI”, is a criminal offence, and consensual or not, “all such incidents require a safeguarding response”. The UK Council for Internet Safety’s Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings, updated in March 2024, tells staff to report incidents to the DSL immediately and to “never view, copy, print, share, store or save the imagery yourself, or ask a child to share or download – this is illegal”. Do not delete images or ask a child to, do not question the children about the imagery, and do not blame or shame anyone.
The advice says the DSL should refer immediately to police and/or children’s social care if an adult is involved; a child has been coerced, blackmailed or groomed, or may lack capacity to consent; the content is violent or unusual for the child’s development; it shows sexual acts involving a child under 13; or a child is at immediate risk of harm. Children can use the Childline and Internet Watch Foundation tool Report Remove to ask for an image of themselves to be taken down.
Is upskirting a criminal offence?
Yes, in England and Wales. The Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019 added section 67A to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 from 12 April 2019. It is an offence to operate equipment, or record an image, beneath someone’s clothing without consent, for sexual gratification or to humiliate, alarm or distress them. The maximum sentence is two years in prison, and the age of criminal responsibility is ten.
How should staff respond if a child reports child-on-child abuse?
KCSIE says the first response “is incredibly important”: a supportive one helps victims come forward, “whilst a poor response may discourage further disclosures”. Staff should act immediately “rather than wait to be told”. Part five’s best practice includes:
- Listen. Reflect back, use the child’s language and avoid judgement. Ask open questions such as where, when and what, not leading ones.
- Reassure. Tell the child they are being taken seriously, “regardless of how long it has taken them to come forward”, and will be supported and kept safe.
- Do not promise confidentiality. Explain who you will tell and what happens next.
- Do not view or forward images. Devices may be confiscated to preserve evidence for the police.
- Record it. Ideally write a detailed note afterwards, and “record only what the child says, without interpretation or personal opinion”.
- Tell the DSL. If possible, two staff should be present, preferably one the DSL or a deputy; otherwise the DSL “must be informed as soon as practically possible”.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 first. Our guide to adverse childhood experiences covers responding to trauma.
What does the designated safeguarding lead do after a report?
The DSL (or a deputy) leads the response case by case, supported by children’s social care and the police as needed. KCSIE asks them to weigh the victim’s wishes, whether a crime may have been committed, the children’s ages and development, any power imbalance, whether it is part of a pattern, and ongoing risks. After a report of sexual violence, the DSL should carry out “an immediate risk and needs assessment”. KCSIE describes four common ways to manage a report:
- Manage internally, for example a one-off incident of sexual harassment, through the behaviour policy and pastoral support.
- Community-based early help, which can run alongside internal management; see our guide to early help.
- Referral to Family Help or children’s social care, where a child has been harmed, is at risk of harm or is in immediate danger.
- Reporting to the police, generally alongside a social care referral.
Whatever the route, “all concerns, discussions, decisions and their rationale should be clearly recorded in writing”. Where a child asks for confidentiality, the DSL balances their wishes with the duty to protect them and others. Parents are generally told unless that would put a child at greater risk.
Our guide to the designated safeguarding lead role covers the wider job, and our Designated Safeguarding Lead (Children) course covers disclosures, thresholds and working with children’s social care in depth.
When should a school involve children’s social care or the police?
Refer to children’s social care where a child has been harmed, is at risk of harm or is in immediate danger. Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 says referrals should be made “immediately if there is a concern that the child is suffering significant harm or is likely to do so”.
Where a report of rape, assault by penetration or sexual assault is made, KCSIE says “the starting point is that this should be passed on to the police”, even if the alleged perpetrator is under ten, when police take “a welfare, rather than a criminal justice, approach”. The National Police Chiefs’ Council’s When to call the police guidance helps DSLs decide.
Schools should not wait for an investigation to finish, or even start, before protecting children. During a criminal investigation into rape, assault by penetration or sexual assault, the alleged perpetrator should be removed from classes shared with the victim, which “should not be perceived to be a judgement on the guilt” of that child.
How should schools support both the child harmed and the child who caused harm?
KCSIE says “immediate steps should be taken to support and protect the victim, the alleged perpetrator(s) and any other affected children”.
The child who was harmed. Their needs and wishes should be paramount, with a daily routine as normal as possible and a trusted adult of their choosing. Schools should avoid isolating them from supportive friends and protect them from bullying for reporting. And if police take no further action, KCSIE says an allegation that “cannot be substantiated or was withdrawn does not necessarily mean that it was unfounded”.
The child who caused harm. Children who display harmful sexual behaviour “have often experienced their own abuse and trauma”. Sanctions follow the behaviour policy, but “taking disciplinary action and still providing appropriate support are not mutually exclusive actions”, and “school can be a significant protective factor”.
What should a school’s child-on-child abuse policy include?
KCSIE 2026 paragraph 193 says the child protection policy should include:
- procedures to minimise the risk of child-on-child abuse
- easy, well-promoted ways for children to report abuse
- how allegations will be recorded, investigated and dealt with
- how victims, perpetrators and other affected children will be supported
- recognition that abuse may be happening even with no reports
- the zero-tolerance statement on “banter”
- the forms it can take, including the school’s approach to nudes and semi-nudes, “including those generated using AI”
The policy should be reviewed at least annually and given to all staff at induction.
What does a whole-school approach to child-on-child abuse look like?
KCSIE says preventative education works best within a whole-school approach that “creates a culture of zero tolerance for sexism, racism, misogyny/misandry, homophobia, biphobia, sexual violence/harassment”. In practice:
- Teaching. Relevant topics are taught in Relationships and Health Education at primary and Relationships, Sex and Health Education at secondary. Revised statutory RSHE guidance came into effect on 1 September 2026, and KCSIE expects teaching on consent, healthy relationships, sexual harassment and online harms such as deepfakes and misogynistic influencers.
- Reporting. Several trusted ways for children to tell someone.
- Training. All staff need safeguarding training at induction, regularly updated, plus updates “at least annually”. See our guides to safeguarding training requirements and CPD requirements for teachers.
- Patterns. Reviewing records for repeated behaviour.
Does child-on-child abuse guidance apply to early years, youth clubs and sport?
KCSIE covers schools and colleges in England. Nurseries and childminders follow the EYFS statutory framework, whose new versions came into force on 1 September 2026; KCSIE says its section 3 should be read alongside KCSIE in school nurseries and reception classes. The principles still apply: harmful sexual behaviour “can occur between two or more children of any age”. See our guide to early years training requirements.
Youth clubs, holiday clubs, tuition and sports training are covered by the Department for Education’s out-of-school settings safeguarding guidance, updated in February 2026, which asks providers to appoint a DSL and have a child-on-child abuse procedure. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own guidance.
Who should you tell about a child-on-child abuse concern?
| Concern | Who to tell | What else to know |
|---|---|---|
| A child is in immediate danger or seriously hurt | Call 999, then the DSL | Keep the child safe first |
| Something you saw, heard or were told, however small | The DSL or a deputy, straight away | Record it factually; you do not need proof |
| A nude or semi-nude image is being shared | The DSL, immediately | Do not view, copy or delete it; adult involvement means an urgent police referral |
| A report of rape, assault by penetration or sexual assault | The DSL, immediately | The starting point is that it is passed to the police |
| A child displaying harmful sexual behaviour | The DSL | The child may need support as well as sanctions |
| The DSL and all deputies are unavailable | A senior leader and/or children’s social care | Do not delay; update the DSL as soon as possible |
| Your club or setting has no DSL | Local children’s social care | Use GOV.UK’s report child abuse to your local council tool |
What should every member of staff do about child-on-child abuse?
- Know who your DSL and deputies are and how to reach them.
- Read your child protection policy and Part one of KCSIE.
- Challenge sexist, racist or abusive language every time.
- Pass on every worry, including incidents outside school or online.
- Listen, reassure, and never promise to keep a secret.
- Write down what the child said, in their words, with the date and time.
- Never view, copy or forward a nude image of a child.
- Remember that the child who caused harm may need help too.
Which courses cover child-on-child abuse?
Three Nexis CPD courses match this guide. Safeguarding Children (Advanced) Level 2 covers recognising abuse, specific safeguarding issues, the DSL’s role, responding to a disclosure and referring to children’s social care. Child Online Safety Awareness covers cyberbullying, grooming, image sharing and reporting routes including CEOP and Report Remove. Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness covers how children are groomed and exploited, the warning signs and how to respond. Together they cost £18, because any three courses trigger the pay-for-2-get-3 offer.
These are awareness-level CPD courses. An online course does not make anyone a designated safeguarding lead by itself, and it does not replace your school’s own safeguarding training or the multi-agency training your local safeguarding children partnership provides.
£9 per course. CPD accredited, 100% online, verifiable e-certificate. Pay for 2, get 3 — any 3 courses for £18. Start with Safeguarding Children (Advanced) Level 2.
Training a team? From 5 staff, Nexis CPD course places cost £6 each. You pay once by card, then get your own portal to add staff, choose their courses and track who has finished. Fewer than five staff? Every course is £9, with any three for £18. See team pricing.
Frequently asked questions
What is child-on-child abuse?
Child-on-child abuse is when a child abuses another child, in or outside school or online. KCSIE 2026 lists forms including bullying, discriminatory behaviour, physical abuse, sexual violence, sexual harassment, making or sharing nudes, upskirting and hazing.
Is peer-on-peer abuse the same as child-on-child abuse?
Yes. Peer-on-peer abuse is an older name for the same thing. Keeping Children Safe in Education uses the term child-on-child abuse, though some guidance still mentions both.
Is child-on-child abuse the same as bullying?
No. Bullying, including cyberbullying and prejudice-based bullying, is one form of child-on-child abuse, but the term also covers physical and sexual violence, sexual harassment, abuse in teenage relationships, image sharing, upskirting and hazing.
Do I need proof before reporting child-on-child abuse?
No. KCSIE says staff should act on any concern immediately and speak to the designated safeguarding lead or a deputy. It is not your job to investigate. Record what you saw or were told and pass it on.
What should I do if a pupil shows me a nude image?
Tell the designated safeguarding lead immediately. Do not view, copy, share, save or delete the image, and do not ask the child to delete it. Reassure the children involved that they will get support.
Should the child who caused harm be supported or punished?
Often both. KCSIE says disciplinary action and appropriate support are not mutually exclusive and can happen at the same time, because children who display harmful sexual behaviour have often experienced abuse or trauma themselves.
This article is general information about child-on-child abuse in England, not legal advice. It reflects KCSIE 2026, Working Together 2026, the UKCIS nudes advice (March 2024), Ofsted’s 2021 review and the Sexual Offences Act 2003 as we found them on 21 October 2026. Always follow your setting’s child protection policy and your local safeguarding partnership’s procedures. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. Nexis CPD courses are CPD-accredited awareness training, not regulated qualifications.