Lanarkshire schools named by Everyone's Invited website over 'sexual harassment' and 'rape culture'

A number of Lanarkshire schools, including a primary school, have been named by a whistle-blowing website aimed at exposing “rape culture” in education.

Everyone’s Invited shares stories from survivors in their own words, and has thousands of entries from women recalling sexual assault and harassment that they endured at school.

The site has now listed every school it has been contacted about, with St Columbkille’s Primary in Rutherglen, Cathkin High in Cambuslang, Lanark Grammar and Uddingston Grammar named.

Only some of the many entries on the website publicly identify the school involved, however each school or university is identified in Everyone’s Invited’s own records.

The stories, which are not time specific, range from girls of primary school age being catcalled to pupils being groped and sexually assaulted.

Other cases reveal being told to ignore harassment, or to accept it as a compliment.

Rutherglen Central and North councillor Janine Calikes says the findings show how widespread "rape culture" is with youngsters, and believes further education is vital.

She said: ”The evidence submitted to the Everyone’s Invited website makes sobering reading and highlights what we already know is a huge problem in all areas of society.

“I was shocked when my own teenaged niece told me that her and her friends don’t feel comfortable dancing at youth discos because some of the boys see them as ‘fair game’ if they are on the dancefloor and they have to deal with unwanted touching and sexual comments.

“The only way we can eradicate this culture is by calling it out at every opportunity and educating our children early on matters of consent, respect and body autonomy.

"Including this type of subject matter at an age appropriate level during relationships education in schools right from early years is key, but it’s not just about what happens in lessons; it’s about creating a culture of respect throughout schools as well as at home.”

Charities believe the findings can have a positive effect, and result in change to how girls are treated at school.

A spokesperson for Rape Crisis Scotland stated: “Schools have a real opportunity here to show leadership and take action to ensure that they are proactively creating a culture where these incidents and attitudes are not tolerated.

“They must also make sure that where they do happen young people are met with the response they deserve – that they are not in any way blamed for the abuse or violence they experience and are empowered to say what they need to feel safe and supported.

"Schools don’t need to go about this alone – all secondary schools across South Lanarkshire can get in touch with Lanarkshire Rape Crisis Centre to work in partnership and to refer young people aged 12+ for support, and they can also access free Sexual Violence prevention workshops for ages S1-S6."

The Everyone's Invited website was set up last year by Soma Sara last year to demonstrate how widespread rape culture is across Britain, and there have been thousands of entries from across the country.

Anne Donaldson, Head of Education at South Lanarkshire Council, said "Harassment or abuse of any form whether in the workplace, schools, in the home or in society is completely reprehensible and must stop.

"We are determined to ensure children receive high-quality relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) education in schools as an integral part of the health and wellbeing curriculum.

"South Lanarkshire Council has firmly established child protection procedures and all schools implement the guidance detailed in the authority’s anti-bullying guidance, ‘Treat Me Well’."

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