Secondary schools and colleges should introduce dedicated “violence against women and girls” (VAWG) leads and deliver comprehensive relationship violence prevention lessons, a Government-funded charity has urged.
The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF), backed by the Home Office, has made the recommendations following concerning findings from a major poll of teachers, and amid growing public awareness of toxic behaviours and misogyny among young people.
A survey conducted by Teacher Tapp in December, involving 4,717 secondary school teachers in England, revealed that one in eight (13%) reported a pupil at their school had committed sexual assault against another child during the most recent term. The figures have sparked alarm among educators and campaigners, prompting calls for urgent reform.
In response, the YEF is advocating for all secondary schools, further education colleges, and alternative provision settings to appoint a VAWG lead – a staff member responsible for spearheading efforts to address gender-based violence and support students through education and pastoral care.
In its report, the YEF also calls on the Government to pilot and eventually scale up a VAWG lead training grant. This would fund improvements to Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) through enhanced teacher training, engagement with external specialists, and the development of more effective classroom materials.
Central to the proposals is the delivery of a minimum of five relationship violence prevention lessons for all Year 9 pupils – aged 13 to 14 – and post-16 students. These sessions would focus on consent, respect, boundaries, bystander intervention, and recognising signs of unhealthy or abusive relationships.
The renewed focus comes as the Netflix drama Adolescence, which explores the rise of incel (involuntary celibate) culture, has triggered widespread discussion around the influence of online misogyny and the social pressures facing teenage boys.
Another Teacher Tapp survey, conducted in January with 1,712 teachers, found that 45% of secondary school staff lack confidence in teaching pupils how to intervene in situations of sexual assault. Additionally, 27% reported feeling unprepared to teach students how to exit abusive relationships.
Jon Yates, chief executive of the YEF, said: “Over the past decade, schools have made real progress in tackling the stigma surrounding mental health. With the right resources and support, they can do the same for violence against women and girls.
“Adolescence has shone a necessary light on the toxic content boys are exposed to online. Now is the time to act. Research clearly shows that structured lessons on healthy relationships can positively influence young people’s behaviour.
“The Labour government has a real opportunity here to demonstrate that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated in our society.”
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, echoed the concerns. “School leaders are deeply troubled by the rise in misogynistic behaviour and violence against women and girls,” he said.
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“Our members will be debating this issue at our conference this weekend. We need more resources and support to help schools tackle the wider societal messages that often go unchallenged.”
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), welcomed the report’s recommendations but cautioned against overburdening staff. “There is clear logic in these proposals, and schools would no doubt welcome additional funding and training,” he said. “However, any new measures must be carefully implemented to avoid placing further strain on already overstretched school leaders and teachers.”
A Government spokesperson said: “All sexual abuse is abhorrent, and we are determined to root it out as part of our Plan for Change, which aims to halve violence against women and girls.
“Our statutory safeguarding guidance ensures that schools take the necessary steps to protect children from abuse and harassment. We are also reviewing the RSHE curriculum to make sure it equips children with the knowledge and skills they need for positive, respectful relationships.”
The call from the YEF is expected to influence future education policy as the Government continues its review into RSHE content and delivery standards.
