蜜芽传媒

More than 5,500 alleged sex crimes in UK schools have been reported to the police in the last three years, 5 live Investigates has learned.

The figures from police forces in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland showed nearly 4,000 physical sexual assaults and more than 600 rapes.

The majority of victims were children in primary and secondary schools, with a fifth of the offences carried out by other children, or 鈥榩eer on peer鈥� abuse.

Shannon Rooney*, from Stirlingshire, was 15 when she was sexually assaulted in classroom storeroom by a fellow pupil. She suffered anxiety and nightmares after the attack.

鈥淲hen you go to school you think it鈥檚 a safe place and you鈥檙e well looked after. To find out something like that can happen in school changes your whole perspective,鈥� she said.

A government spokesman said all schools have a duty to report child welfare concerns to local authorities or the police.

*Shannon has waived her right to anonymity.

5 live Investigates Sunday 6 September 2015

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