Women in Northern Ireland are shedding light on the pervasive misogyny they encountered during their school years, coinciding with the UK Government’s recent initiative aimed at addressing inappropriate behaviour among boys in educational settings. On December 17, 2023, the government unveiled a £20 million strategy to reduce rates of Violence Against Women and Girls over the next decade, particularly emphasizing the need for early intervention and education.
The Northern Ireland Strategy Framework underscores the importance of educating both boys and girls about misogyny and consent. In conversations with Belfast Live, several young women recounted their experiences, highlighting the need for comprehensive education on these critical topics.
Caitlyn, who left school over a decade ago, recalls how the constant harassment from male peers became “completely normalised.” She explained, “Boys in school would touch us all the time, and it was totally normalised to the point that when I was younger, I never thought of it as something negative.” Caitlyn noted that inappropriate behaviour was often reported to teachers, yet little was done, particularly when the offenders were talented athletes whose skills were valued by the school.
“They were treated like sporting prodigies destined for greatness,” she said, suggesting that this contributed to a culture of entitlement among male students. Caitlyn expressed concern over the lack of sex education provided during her time in school, arguing that proper instruction on consent could change attitudes in the long run. “People sometimes talk about consent as if it’s this wishy-washy subject, but it’s important to teach kids what is and isn’t okay,” she added.
Another former student, Saoirse, who left school five years ago, described a troubling incident involving a sexual assault on school grounds. The girl involved was encouraged to leave the school “for her own safety,” while the boy was allowed to remain due to his status as a gifted athlete. “I think there were a lot of instances in my year where thorough education on consent could have changed an outcome,” Saoirse reflected.
The lack of awareness about healthy relationships was evident in her school environment, where relationships often served as mere status symbols. “Teachers need to be given training on how to spot signs of coercive control in relationships,” she urged. Many girls in her year sought guidance from external services like Common Youth, a confidential sexual health and wellbeing centre, feeling they had no safe space to discuss their concerns within school.
“There was a danger that if you reported a boy for their behaviour, his friends would find out, hunt you down and make your life hell,”
Saoirse said, emphasizing the fear that discouraged girls from speaking out.
Orla, who recently completed her A levels, noted the dire state of misogyny within her school. She recounted how female staff members faced intimidation from male students, with one new teacher leaving due to severe mistreatment. “Boys would physically tower over her and would go right up to her face when speaking to her,” she explained.
Orla also pointed to the influence of derogatory social media figures, noting that boys would use such references to demean girls. Despite consent being part of the curriculum, she mentioned that the teacher was uncomfortable discussing it, resulting in a lack of meaningful education.
“By the time they’re leaving school, these aren’t boys anymore, they’re men,” Orla stated. She expressed concern that the misogynistic attitudes formed during adolescence would persist into adulthood.
A 2023 report from the Education and Training Inspectorate found that nearly half of schools in Northern Ireland provide little to no education on sexual consent. In April 2024, the Northern Ireland Assembly passed a motion mandating compulsory, standardised, and age-appropriate relationship and sexual education (RSE) across all schools.
Eóin Tennyson, a representative of the Alliance Party, criticized the outdated teachings prevalent in many schools. “Many students graduate without ever having learned about consent, abuse, or the elements of a healthy relationship,” he said, adding that this educational gap affects society as a whole.
Cara Hunter, a member of the SDLP, echoed this sentiment, stating that appropriate RSE could empower young people and foster a culture that values consent.
Boyd Sleator, a coordinator with Northern Ireland Humanists, highlighted the need for early intervention in addressing misogyny. “We need to prioritise these things in education, like how we approach relationships,” he said, advocating for RSE to be taught in an age-appropriate manner, similar to subjects like mathematics or physics.
As Northern Ireland embarks on this educational reform, the voices of women like Caitlyn, Saoirse, and Orla serve as a crucial reminder of the need for systemic change in addressing misogyny and promoting a culture of respect and consent in schools.
