Australian schools record thousands of student sexual misconduct reports as child safety concerns grow

Thousands of reports of sexual misconduct between students in Australian schools have raised fresh concerns about child safety, the support available to young victims and the growing challenges facing educators.

Newly obtained government records reveal that New South Wales (NSW) public schools recorded 17,546 reports of problematic or harmful sexual behaviour between students over six years. In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), 15 student-to-student sexual assault incidents were reported in public schools in 2025.

Child safety advocates say the figures underline the urgent need to help children understand consent, personal boundaries and respectful relationships from an early age. They also warn that schools need effective systems to prevent harmful behaviour, respond to allegations and support affected students.

The figures represent reported incidents, not confirmed cases of sexual assault. Comparisons between jurisdictions must also be treated with caution because education authorities use different reporting categories and recording practices.

NSW reports more than double in six years

Data obtained by 7NEWS.com.au show that NSW public schools recorded 17,546 reports of problematic and/or harmful sexual behaviour between students from 2019 to 2024.

Annual reports rose from 1,842 in 2019 to 3,945 in 2024, more than doubling over the period. The highest annual total was recorded in 2023, at 3,971 incidents.

The year-wise figures were:

• 2019: 1,842
• 2020: 2,236
• 2021: 2,309
• 2022: 3,243
• 2023: 3,971
• 2024: 3,945

Primary schools accounted for the largest share, with 8,901 reports over the six years, followed by secondary schools with 8,217. Central and community schools recorded 592 incidents, while another 336 were reported in other education settings.

The figures highlight the importance of addressing harmful behaviour well before children reach adolescence, particularly as primary schools accounted for more reports than secondary schools.

Human rights lawyer Kon Karapanagiotidis said the scale of the reports challenged the perception that sexual violence was largely confined to homes and adult relationships.

“Hearing that there were nearly 18,000 incidents of sexual harassment/abuse in NSW classrooms alone between 2019-2024 highlights that sexual violence isn’t just happening in our homes but also in our schools and the broader community,” he told 7NEWS.com.au.

He called for greater investment in prevention, consent education and respectful relationships programs to help young people recognise boundaries and understand the consequences of harmful conduct.

ACT records 15 incidents in public schools

In the ACT, documents released under Freedom of Information laws show that 15 student-to-student sexual assault incidents were reported in public schools in 2025.

Eight reports involved public primary schools and seven involved public secondary schools.

Of the 15 reported incidents, three were referred to police and two resulted in student suspensions after allegations were substantiated. The Education Directorate's response listed no expulsions.

The data covered incidents on school grounds during school hours or in connection with school activities, including camps, performances and interschool sporting events.

The Directorate clarified that it does not investigate sexual assault allegations itself. Investigations are conducted by the relevant authorities where appropriate, while decisions on police referrals and disciplinary action are made on a case-by-case basis.

It also cautioned against assuming that every reported incident would lead to a police referral or disciplinary action.

Factors influencing whether an incident was referred to police included the circumstances of the allegation, the willingness of the affected student to make a report, and the age or additional needs of the students involved.

The ACT figures therefore provide a snapshot of reported incidents and the responses recorded by the education authority, rather than a definitive count of proven offences.

Advocates call for consent education to start early

The latest disclosures have renewed calls for consent education and respectful relationships programs to begin in primary school, when children are developing their understanding of personal boundaries and interactions with peers.

Matt Stewart, director of childhood safety education charity Constable Care, said children and young people needed opportunities to learn about consent and discuss it openly with teachers, parents and peers.

The organisation has delivered consent-focused programs in Western Australian schools for several years.

“We believe there is an imperative need for children and young people to learn about the importance of consent and to start talking about it with teachers, parents and peers,” Stewart said.

He urged parents to begin these conversations as early as possible, stressing that understanding personal boundaries was essential to building and maintaining healthy relationships.

Early education, advocates argue, can help children recognise inappropriate behaviour, communicate their boundaries and seek help when something goes wrong. It must also be accompanied by clear reporting procedures and appropriate support for students who disclose harm.

Online influences add to child safety concerns

The reports have also intensified debate about the influence of online content on young people's attitudes towards women, girls, consent and relationships.

The federal government is pursuing proposed Digital Duty of Care laws intended to make technology companies more accountable for preventing foreseeable harm to children and young people using their services.

Karapanagiotidis described the proposed reforms as critically needed, arguing that online algorithms can expose young users to misogyny, sexism and disrespect towards women and girls.

Child safety advocates say harmful online influences cannot be considered separately from behaviour in classrooms and schoolyards. They argue that prevention efforts must address both digital exposure and the attitudes children develop towards their peers.

Protecting students requires more than reporting

Behind the figures are children who report being harmed by classmates, as well as students accused of conduct that can have serious consequences for others. Each allegation requires an appropriate response, with the safety and wellbeing of affected children remaining central.

The different reporting systems in NSW and the ACT also underline the need for caution when interpreting the numbers. NSW records a broad category of problematic and/or harmful sexual behaviour, while the ACT figures specifically cover reported student-to-student sexual assault incidents.

The disclosures do not establish how many allegations resulted in confirmed offences across either jurisdiction. However, they have brought renewed attention to the responsibility of schools, families, governments and technology companies to protect children.

Experts and advocates say a comprehensive response must combine early consent education, respectful relationships programs, effective safeguarding procedures, appropriate support for affected students and stronger accountability for online harms.

For schools, the challenge extends beyond recording incidents. It is to create environments where children understand boundaries, harmful behaviour is addressed promptly and students feel safe seeking help.