All secondary schools in England will teach students about healthy relationships in a bid to tackle misogyny and “stop abuse before it starts.”
Ministers have announced plans to intervene early when worrying behaviour is observed in young people as part of the government’s strategy to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) within a decade.
Under the new plan, teachers will receive specialist training to talk to pupils about healthy relationships and consent. Children who display harmful behaviour towards relatives or in relationships will also be enrolled in behaviour change programmes.
A new helpline will also be set up for teens concerned about their own behaviour in relationships.
Prime Minister Sir Keir said: “Every parent should be able to trust that their daughter is safe at school, online, and in her relationships. But too often 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 – to stop harm before it starts.
This is about protecting girls and fostering education and conversation with boys and young men, which is a responsibility we owe to the next generation, and one this government will deliver.”
Measures already announced as part of the cross-government strategy include introducing specialist rape and sexual offences investigators to every police force, better NHS support for survivors, and a £19 million funding boost for councils to provide safe housing for domestic abuse survivors.
The latest initiative for educating children is backed by a £20 million package, with £16 million funded by the government and the remainder supported through an innovation fund in partnership with philanthropists.
Critics Call for Greater Investment
Domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales, Dame Nicole Jacobs, said the commitments “do not go far enough” to reduce abuse. She added: “Today’s strategy rightly recognises the scale of this challenge and the need to address the misogynistic attitudes that underpin it, but the level of investment to achieve this falls seriously short.”
Dame Nicole also warned that overburdened schools lack the infrastructure to safeguard child victims of domestic abuse.
Campaigners have stressed that the measures must be part of a long-term commitment. Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), said: “We welcome reports of increased funding and focus on quality relationships and sex education relevant to the digital age, as this equips young people to develop healthy and equal relationships.
However, we await more detail on implementation, as proper resourcing is essential to ensure every child in every school benefits. Inconsistent delivery remains an issue, and it is concerning that education for 16–18-year-olds is not yet mandatory, despite this age group being most at risk of domestic abuse.
Prevention is always better than responding after harm has occurred, which is why this must be a long-term commitment and a cornerstone of the government’s plans to halve violence against women.”
White Ribbon UK CEO Lynne Elliot added: “Investing in prevention is crucial to protect future generations. Parents and carers play a key role, but all adults who act as role models must have the same understanding and give the same messages.
We look forward to seeing how these aims will be turned into effective action.”
Teachers and Schools on Frontline
Department for Education-commissioned research found that 70% of secondary school teachers reported that their school had actively addressed sexual violence or harassment among children.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Having spent years working in a refuge for women experiencing domestic abuse, I know how much early intervention can change lives. We cannot simply respond to harm after it happens; we must equip young people with understanding and tools before attitudes harden into harm.”
Police and social services will also receive new guidance on teenage relationships, while the legal framework for domestic abuse will be reviewed to better address teenage experiences.
This comes as Sir Keir pledged to consider whether younger people should be formally recognised as domestic abuse victims, following the murder of 15-year-old Holly Newton by her stalker ex-boyfriend in Hexham, Northumberland, in January 2023.
Violence against women and girls minister Jess Phillips said: “For too long, 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 being harmed in the first place.
From today, it will deploy the full power of the state to introduce the largest crackdown to stop violence against women and girls in British history.”
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