Preston schools and colleges named on rape culture website

A number of Preston schools and colleges have been named on a website that shares stories from rape culture survivors.

Everyone’s Invited states that its mission is to ‘expose and eradicate rape culture with empathy, compassion, and understanding’.

The website says: “Everyone’s Invited is a safe place for survivors to share their stories completely anonymously. The act of sharing their story with Everyone’s Invited allows many survivors a sense of relief, catharsis, empowerment, and gives them a feeling of community and hope.”

Survivors’ testimonies include details of misogyny, rape jokes, sexual harassment, online sexual abuse (upskirting, non-consensual sharing of intimate photos, cyberflashing), and sexual coercion.

Everyone’s Invited says that when rape culture behaviours such as these are normalised it can ‘act as a gateway to more extreme acts such as sexual assault and rape’.

The Preston schools and colleges named in the testimonies are listed below. The full list can be viewed on the Everyone’s Invited website.

Broughton High School
Our Lady’s Catholic High School
Preston’s College
St Mary Magdalene’s Catholic Primary School
Archbishop Temple School
Cardinal Newman College
Fulwood High School
Kirkham Grammar
Longridge High School
Moor Nook Community Primary School
Sherwood Primary School
Tulketh High School (now closed)

Blog Preston approached all the schools and colleges for comment and received a response from Fulwood Academy, formerly Fulwood High School.

A spokesperson for the school said: “Over the last few months, there has been a great deal of welcomed focus across the country on the attitudes and cultures that exist within our society, particularly towards women.

“While no school in the country can, or should, say that they don’t face issues in relation to equality and respect, the number of reported incidents of such behaviours in our school is very low. In fact, the testimony linked to our school on the Everyone’s Invited website referenced Fulwood High School, which means that it is from at least 10 years ago.

“That being said, even though there is no evidence of wider cultural issues within our school, the impact of any incident is deeply significant to those involved. That is why we do not shy away from our role in helping to shape communities where every person feels safe, and where positive and healthy relationships flourish.

“We welcome Ofsted’s recent nationwide review of attitudes and behaviours towards sex in schools, and take heart from the fact that many of their recommendations are things that we already do as a school. We will continue to put a considerable focus on educating our students to be well rounded individuals through our curriculum and extensive pastoral support.”

Meanwhile Lancashire County Council says it’s keen to ensure anyone affected can come forward to report their concerns.

Councillor Jayne Rear, cabinet member for education and skills, said: “Any form of sexual harassment or abuse is completely unacceptable.

“Schools should be places of safety for pupils where inappropriate and harmful behaviours will not be tolerated.

“We know that in Lancashire, our schools work hard to address all types of inappropriate behaviour, however, this is a national issue impacting on many schools across the country and we cannot be complacent.

“Ofsted, in its report last week on sexual abuse, has recommended that even where school and college leaders do not have specific information that indicates sexual harassment and online sexual abuse are problems for their children and young people, they should act on the assumption that they are.

“We would also encourage anyone affected by this to come forward and report any concerns they may have.”

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