All secondary schools in England are set to implement mandatory education on healthy relationships, aimed at addressing issues such as misogyny and preventing abuse before it occurs. The announcement, made by ministers, is part of a broader strategy to reduce violence against women and girls (VAWG) by 50% over the next decade.
This initiative will involve providing teachers with specialized training to discuss critical topics, including consent and healthy relationships. Children exhibiting harmful behavior towards others will be enrolled in behavior change programs. Additionally, a new helpline will be established for teenagers who are concerned about their own actions in relationships.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the necessity of ensuring that every parent can trust their children to be safe in educational settings and during their interactions. He stated, “Toxic ideas are taking hold early and going unchallenged… this Government is stepping in sooner – backing teachers, calling out misogyny, and intervening when warning signs appear.” The Prime Minister further noted the importance of educating boys and young men about these issues.
The government’s initiatives also include deploying specialist rape and sexual offenses investigators to every police force, enhancing support for survivors within the NHS, and allocating £19 million to councils for safe housing for victims of domestic abuse. The education measures will be supported by an investment of £20 million, with £16 million coming directly from the government, supplemented by contributions from philanthropists through an innovation fund.
In response to the strategy, Dame Nicole Jacobs, the domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales, expressed concerns about the adequacy of the proposed measures. She declared that while the strategy recognizes the scale of the issue, the investment required to make a significant impact is insufficient. Dame Nicole also highlighted the challenges faced by schools in adequately supporting child victims of domestic abuse.
Campaigners stress that while the new measures are a positive step, they must be part of an ongoing commitment. Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), welcomed the focus on quality relationships and sex education. She urged for detailed plans to ensure that this education reaches every student, particularly since the current lack of consistency in delivery across schools poses a significant issue.
The CEO of White Ribbon UK, Lynne Elliot, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to prevention. She stated that all adults who serve as role models for children should be equipped with the necessary understanding to guide young people effectively.
The pilot scheme for the teacher training program is expected to begin next year, with the goal of all secondary schools offering sessions on healthy relationships by the end of this parliamentary term. This initiative follows research commissioned by the Department for Education, which revealed that 70% of secondary school teachers reported their institutions had actively addressed sexual violence and harassment among students.
Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, highlighted her experience working in a refuge for domestic abuse victims and reiterated the importance of 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.”
As part of the new strategy, police and social services will receive updated guidance regarding teenage relationships, and the legal framework surrounding domestic abuse will be reviewed to better address the experiences of young individuals.
Following the tragic murder of 15-year-old Holly Newton in January 2023, there is an increasing focus on whether younger individuals should be formally recognized as victims of domestic abuse. Jess Phillips, minister for violence against women and girls, asserted that the scale of violence against women and girls has been underestimated in society. She affirmed the government’s commitment to implementing a groundbreaking strategy aimed at preventing harm from occurring in the first place.
These recent developments illustrate a significant shift in how the education system and the government aim to tackle the pervasive issue of violence against women and girls, focusing on prevention through education and community support.
