Child-on-Child Sexual Abuse Conviction
The sentencing at Leeds Crown Court last week of 18-year-old Eshea Sullivan serves as a stark warning that child-on-child abuse is serious abuse and that child perpetrators of sexual abuse will face the full force of the law.
Eshea, convicted of ten sexual offences against three young girls when he himself was a child, will now serve a lengthy custodial sentence.
Convicted of:
- two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault against one victim;
- one count of rape, one count of sexual assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault against a second victim;
- one count of sexual assault by penetration and a further count of sexual assault against a third victim;
Eshea has been jailed for nine years and must remain on licence for a further five years upon his release.
He will also be required to register as a sex offender for life, will never be allowed to volunteer or work with children and is subject to an indefinite restraining order not to contact his victims.
Whilst nationally recent safeguarding cases have placed much focus on failures within multi-agency safeguarding practice, the effective practice of Kirklees safeguarding teams, particularly West Yorkshire Police, in this case should be recognised. Not only crucial in holding Eshea to account, their support for his victims throughout is laudable and an exemplar of best practice.
This case serves as a reminder that it is important to recognise that children can be abusive towards each other. Child-on-child abuse, which may involve abuse, harassment and sexual violence is a key safeguarding area, and all staff in schools and academies have statutory duty-of-care requirements under Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE).
Under these parameters, all staff must complete training so they:
- fully understand of what constitutes abuse in each category;
- understand the legislative & statutory requirements;
- adhere to policy ratified by governance;
- are able to provide appropriate support for those involved;
- can respond effectively to reports / disclosures;
- are able to assess risk;
- providing support for those involved.
It is also essential that staff know how to manage unsubstantiated, false or malicious reports.
Working together to safeguard children from harm, we have to recognise that this includes protecting children that may be suffering, or be at risk of suffering harm perpetrated by another child. This behaviour is not ‘part of growing up’, it is abuse and we have a duty of care to take allegations seriously.
SSS Learning Safeguarding Director
26 February 2025
