- Schools’ neutrality policies often force victims to change schools while protecting perpetrators.
- Japan and West Virginia cases highlight systemic failures in handling sexual violence among students.
- Experts call for policy changes to prioritize victim safety and prevent revictimization.
Schools that prioritize neutrality over victim protection risk exacerbating trauma for survivors of sexual violence. In Japan, a girl was forced to leave her school while her perpetrator remained, reflecting a disturbing trend where institutions avoid decisive action.
This issue underscores the need for schools to adopt survivor-centered policies. Legal experts argue that ensuring a perpetrator’s education should not come at the expense of a victim’s safety.
The Hidden Cost of Neutrality: How Schools Perpetuate Sexual Violence
Educational institutions must balance neutrality with the responsibility to protect students, but too often, this results in further victimization. In Japan, a school refused to transfer a perpetrator, forcing the victim to change schools. Meanwhile, in West Virginia, attempts to strengthen child abuse prevention education face bureaucratic hurdles, exposing a lack of urgency in addressing the issue.
Sexual violence among minors is a growing concern, exacerbated by increased exposure to harmful online content. Experts warn that the COVID-19 pandemic intensified the problem, leaving children more vulnerable to manipulation. Without proactive education and strict consequences for offenders, schools may continue to foster unsafe environments.
Legal professionals argue that neutrality should not override victim protection. In many cases, survivors are left with no choice but to withdraw from school, disrupting their education and emotional well-being. A shift toward trauma-informed policies is necessary to ensure justice and safety for all students.
Beyond policy failures, the cultural perception of sexual violence among minors must change. Society often downplays these incidents due to the age of the offenders, but failing to address them properly creates long-term consequences for both victims and perpetrators. Schools must take a stronger stance to prevent cycles of abuse.
The failure of schools to prioritize victim protection over neutrality enables a dangerous cycle of revictimization. Stronger policies, survivor-focused approaches, and comprehensive education reforms are essential to ensuring safe learning environments.
“Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” – Elie Wiesel
