All secondary schools in England will soon be required to educate students about healthy relationships, a measure aimed at addressing misogyny and preventing abuse before it escalates. The government announced this initiative as part of a broader strategy to reduce violence against women and girls (VAWG) by half over the next decade.
As part of these new guidelines, teachers will receive specialized training to discuss essential topics such as consent and healthy relationships with their students. The initiative also includes enrolling children who exhibit harmful behaviors toward family members or peers in behavior change programs. Additionally, a new helpline will be established for teenagers who are concerned about their conduct in relationships.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of ensuring that parents can trust their daughters’ safety in schools, online, and in their relationships. He stated, “This Government is stepping in sooner – backing teachers, calling out misogyny, and intervening when warning signs appear – to stop harm before it starts.” He highlighted the necessity of addressing harmful attitudes early to protect girls and educate boys and young men.
The announcement is part of a comprehensive government plan that includes initiatives like introducing specialized investigators for rape and sexual offenses in every police force. Furthermore, the strategy allocates a £19 million funding boost for local councils to provide safe housing for survivors of domestic abuse.
The educational measures will be supported by a £20 million funding package, with £16 million contributed by the government and additional support from philanthropists through an innovation fund.
The campaign “This Is Not Right,” launched on November 25, 2024, aims to confront the alarming increase in violence against women in the UK. In partnership with organizations such as Women’s Aid, it seeks to illuminate the scale of this pressing issue.
Despite these efforts, some experts express concerns that the current strategy may not suffice. Dame Nicole Jacobs, the domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales, remarked that while the strategy acknowledges the need to challenge misogynistic attitudes, the investment levels are inadequate for effective change. She noted, “Today’s strategy rightly recognizes the scale of this challenge… but the level of investment to achieve this falls seriously short.”
Advocates stress the need for a long-term commitment to addressing these issues. Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), welcomed the increased funding and focus on comprehensive relationships and sex education for the digital age. She highlighted the importance of ensuring that this education reaches every student across the country.
Others, including Lynne Elliot, CEO of White Ribbon UK, expressed support for the prevention-focused approach of the VAWG strategy. Elliot emphasized that a societal commitment to education and prevention is crucial for protecting future generations.
As schools prepare to implement the new teacher training pilot, which will begin next year, the government aims to have all secondary schools teaching healthy relationship sessions by the end of this parliamentary term. Recent research commissioned by the Department for Education revealed that 70% of surveyed secondary school teachers reported their institutions actively addressing sexual violence and harassment among students.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who previously worked in a refuge for women facing domestic abuse, underscored the need for early intervention. She stated, “We cannot simply respond to harm after it happens; we must give young people the understanding and tools they need before attitudes harden into harm.”
In conjunction with these educational reforms, police and social services will receive updated guidance on managing teenage relationships, and the legal framework surrounding domestic abuse will be evaluated to better address the experiences of adolescents. Following the tragic murder of 15-year-old Holly Newton in January 2023, there is increasing focus on recognizing younger individuals as potential domestic abuse victims.
Jess Phillips, the Minister for Violence Against Women and Girls, articulated the government’s commitment to this initiative. She declared, “For too long the scale of violence against women and girls has been treated as a fact of life in our country. I am determined our groundbreaking strategy will prevent women and girls from actually being harmed in the first place.”
The comprehensive strategy marks a significant step toward addressing the multifaceted issue of violence against women and girls in England, aiming for lasting change through education and early intervention.
