Stage 06 · Why Might Someone Stay Silent? · Introduction
Why Might Someone Stay Silent?
Silence does not mean consent.
People may find it hard to speak for many different reasons. Safe support does not pressure them to disclose.
Teacher View
Teach
Purpose Explain silence and delayed disclosure without pathologising the person.
Ask Why might speaking feel difficult even when someone wants help?
Respond
Misconception Silence does not equal consent, and reluctance does not by itself prove FGM or risk.
Protect
Safeguarding Do not pressure pupils to disclose. Model patient, non-leading support.
Adapt & assess
SEND / EAL Present barrier categories with icons/words and let pupils select more than one possible reason.
Stretch Explore how privacy, trust, dependency and fear of consequences can overlap.
Evidence of learning Learner gives a non-pressuring support response.