Child sexual abuse in schools often an open secret, says inquiry

Abusers often have reputations and 42% of those abused knew of other victims, report finds

People who carry out child sexual abuse in schools often have reputations as perpetrators, with their behaviour frequently an open secret, according to a report by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in England and Wales.

Research based on the accounts of 691 victims and survivors also found that 42% of people who were sexually abused in the context of schools were aware of other victims in the same school.

Related: Most child sexual abuse gangs made up of white men, Home Office report says