Boy, 6, in sex abuse claims to stay at school

A six-year-old boy claimed to have sexually abused classmates will stay in school.

The boy continues to attend the Christchurch school, but the abuse has prompted some fearful parents to withdraw their children.

The incident has sparked an investigation of Halswell School by police, Ministry of Education psychologists and Child, Youth and Family Services (CYFS).

The school has introduced strict segregation of girls and boys while the boy at the centre of the allegations continues to attend the school, in south-west Christchurch.

A parent, whose child was not involved, said it was alleged the boy led girls in his class away from the main playground and touched them sexually while other children kept watch for teachers.

Ministry of Education southern region student support manager Sean Wheeler said today the school had received advice and support from the ministry, police and Child, Youth and Family Services (CYFS).

The number one priority had been to keep children safe.

"They've (the school) tried to do it in a way that doesn't further victimise anyone," Mr Wheeler said.

A psychologist from the ministry's special education services had spoken to the school and helped with such things as developing a safety plan.

The ministry did not give specific advice on whether the boy should be removed from the school, he said.

"That's a decision the principal made. We didn't attempt to dissuade him from that. It seemed to us with the safety plans in place a reasonable decision. But at the end of the day it's his decision."

Some parents from the school had rung the ministry but he was not prepared to comment on the details of those calls.

- NZPA