Violence against women and girls strategy – schools

The government has published ‘Freedom from violence and abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls’ as the first step in a transformational approach to addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG).

It explains the need for a ‘whole of society’ approach to tackle VAWG, working across government, public services and wider society to make lasting, meaningful change. It is informed by the best available evidence on what works including the views and experience of delivery partners and experts in that sector.

Under the £20 million package, teachers and families will be empowered to address harmful attitudes and behaviours head on, with young people taught to identify positive role models and challenge unhealthy myths about women and relationships.

Three new pilot programmes have now been announced as part of VAWG strategy.

• A £3million investment in a teacher training fund over the next two years to ensure the new curriculum has the greatest impact
• A £5 million pilot of healthy relationship training delivered by external providers
• A £3 million pilot programme to tackle harmful sexual behaviours.

Schools will also be supported to integrate learning about positive relationships and VAWG across every part of a child’s school life, not just confined to RSHE.

Teachers will get specialist training on how to talk to pupils about issues like consent and the dangers of sharing intimate images, with experts brought in to pilot new approaches. This will be backed by research identifying the most effective way of teaching young people these crucial lessons.

Building on changes already announced to arm children against disinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories on social media, all secondary schools in England will be required to have a strong offer to educate students about healthy and respectful relationships, with every child getting access to this by the end of this Parliament.

To tackle the most worrying attitudes as early as possible, schools will also send high-risk individuals to get the extra care and support they need, focused on challenging deep-rooted misogynist influences. A new helpline will be launched to help young people concerned about their behaviours to get the help they need.