UK Government to Train Teachers and Launch Strategy to Halve Violence Against Women and Girls Within a Decade
The UK government is set to publish a comprehensive strategy aimed at halving violence against women and girls within the next decade. A key component of this plan involves training teachers to detect and address early signs of misogyny among boys. Pupils will be educated on consent, the risks of sharing explicit images, and the importance of identifying positive role models.
The strategy includes school-based measures backed by multimillion-pound funding, with a £20 million package encompassing a new helpline for teenagers concerned about abuse in relationships. Funding sources include £16 million from taxpayers and £4 million from philanthropists and an innovation fund. Schools will have the ability to refer high-risk pupils to behavioural courses to help tackle prejudice against women and girls.
The updated Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum, to be introduced by September 2026, will address subjects such as porn literacy, coercion, image-based abuse, online harassment, deepfakes, and distinguishing fantasy from real relationships, alongside AI literacy and online harms. A pilot program in secondary schools will support teachers educating about consent and the dangers of sharing explicit images.
The strategy takes a three-pillar approach: countering the influence of manosphere figures, enhancing enforcement against abusers through specialist investigators for rape and sexual offences across police forces, and rolling out domestic abuse protection orders. An additional £550 million is earmarked to support victims via NHS services, safe housing, and awareness campaigns including two TV adverts.
Despite these initiatives, Domestic Abuse Commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs has expressed concerns about funding being insufficient and the lack of sustainable, long-term support for specialist services amid rising referrals.
Officials emphasized the importance of tackling toxic ideas early in life. Opposition figures Keir Starmer and David Lammy have highlighted the necessity of focusing on the upbringing of boys. Meanwhile, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Victims Minister plan to convene a national summit next year addressing men and boys' roles in this issue.
The policy will be implemented across England and Wales. Some educators note that schools are already undertaking related work, such as at Beacon Hill Academy in Dudley, but there are concerns regarding spending efficiency and how this initiative will partner with existing programmes. A recent YouGov poll revealed that nearly 40% of teenagers in relationships experience abuse, and nearly 1 in 5 boys aged 13-15 hold a positive view of controversial figure Andrew Tate.
The strategy has faced delays this year and criticism concerning the consultation process and funding gaps, but it marks a significant government effort to address violence against women and girls through education, enforcement, and victim support.
