£20m Package Launched to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls with Mandatory Healthy Relationship Education
The UK government has launched a £20 million package aimed at tackling violence against women and girls, with £16 million funded by the government and £4 million from philanthropists and partners.
As part of this initiative, all secondary pupils in England will be taught about healthy relationships, with lessons set to become mandatory by 2029. A pilot scheme with external delivery will be introduced in 2026.
Teachers will receive training to spot early signs of misogyny in boys, covering topics such as consent and the dangers of sharing intimate images.
An online helpline will be established to support teenagers concerned about their own behavior in relationships.
The strategy aims to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, with the Prime Minister emphasizing the responsibility to protect the next generation.
Data from the Department for Education shows that 70% of secondary teachers reported their schools actively dealt with sexual violence or harassment between students.
Additional measures include appointing specialist rape and sexual offences investigators in every police force, improving NHS support for survivors, and allocating £19 million to councils to provide safe housing for domestic abuse survivors.
However, Dame Nicole Jacobs, the domestic abuse commissioner, stated that the commitments fall short and called for stronger cross-government leadership.
Claire Waxman, the incoming victims commissioner, emphasized that victim services must be central to the strategy's success.
