Male teachers are continuing to harass female colleagues by sending them unsolicited photos of their genitalia on Twitter.
The latest incident happened on Saturday night when a woman teacher said she received an explicit photo from a male teacher while in a direct message conversation with him on Twitter.
“I was shocked. I was taken aback,” the woman, in her thirties, told Tes.
“I would never have expected that behaviour from a teacher. His profile said he was a Year 1 teacher. I messaged him back and said, ‘Are you really a teacher?’ and he said, ‘Sorry!’”
Such images are among a wave of inappropriate and personal social media messages that female teachers are receiving from men in the same profession, as reported by Tes earlier this year.
Sexual harassment victims ‘feel powerless’
“It makes you feel angry when you meet victims and you can see how it’s made them feel,” said Colin Grimes, a primary teacher from Northumberland, who spoke out against the social media harassment in a blog.
Mr Grimes said he knew of 10 victims, some of whom knew the perpetrators. He said many victims felt bullied yet felt powerless to do anything after receiving the images in what had often started as innocent conversations about education.
“Some felt guilty that if they did take action they could ruin a man’s career or marriage. It’s making the person who is a target feel like it’s their fault,” he said.
“I don’t know whether it’s just for a pure sexual kick or whether these people are hoping for some pictures in return.
“I don’t know if the problem is getting worse or if it’s staying the same, but it’s definitely happening. Many female teachers are too embarrassed to come forward or think they won’t be believed after deleting the images.”
The woman who received the latest inappropriate message - who does not wish to be identified - said she is meeting with the police this week with a view to the man being charged under the Malicious Communications Act.
The Crown Prosecution Service website states that offences under the Communications Act 2003 include the sending of improper messages, including ones that are grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.
A spokesman for the Teacher Regulation Agency said: “The ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance states that governing bodies and proprietors should ensure there are appropriate policies and procedures in place in order for appropriate action to be taken in a timely manner to safeguard and promote children’s welfare. This should, amongst other things, include acceptable use of technologies and communications, including the use of social media.”
