Same-sex spaces aren’t a matter of faith, but safety

The alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in a gender neutral secondary school toilet isn’t surprising, says Caroline Farrow. But it should remind our government why new schools guidance is urgently needed

A teenage boy has been arrested and a police investigation launched after four incidents of alleged sexual assault, three of which are said to have taken place in gender-neutral toilets at a school in Essex.

The boy, who is under 16, has been bailed with conditions, and Essex County Council have confirmed that they are working with school leaders and the police “on a safeguarding matter” while inquiries continue.