The government has launched a major new strategy to combat violence against women and girls (VAWG), with a core focus on tackling misogynistic attitudes among boys in schools. A £20 million package of measures will see teachers receive specialist training to identify early warning signs and steer pupils away from harmful ideologies.
Core Components of the New Strategy
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned that "too often toxic ideas are taking hold early and going unchallenged" in educational settings. The concern is underscored by research indicating that more than 40% of young men hold a positive view of the misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate, who has previously dismissed such concerns as "garbage".
The funding, formally unveiled on Thursday 18 December 2025, comprises £16 million from the taxpayer and £4 million from philanthropists and partners. The central pillar of the plan is mandatory training for educators. This will equip them to spot signs of misogyny in boys and provide them with the tools to address it proactively.
Furthermore, teachers will get guidance on how to discuss sensitive but critical topics with pupils, including consent and the dangers associated with sharing intimate images. As part of the rollout, all secondary school pupils in England will be taught about healthy relationships. These lessons will become compulsory by the end of the current parliament in 2029, with a pilot scheme launching in selected schools in 2026, delivered by external experts.
Broader Support and Existing Challenges
An additional support measure includes the creation of an online helpline for teenagers who have concerns about their own behaviour in relationships. This initiative aims to provide a confidential route for early intervention and self-reflection.
The strategy forms part of the government's overarching ambition to halve incidents of violence against women and girls within ten years. Sir Keir Starmer stated this is a "responsibility we owe to the next generation", adding that every parent should be able to trust their daughter is safe at school, online, and in her relationships.
The need for action is highlighted by Department for Education-commissioned research, which found that 70% of secondary school teachers surveyed had actively dealt with incidents of sexual violence or harassment between children at their school.
Criticism and Additional Measures
However, the strategy has faced criticism for not going far enough. Dame Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, said the commitments "do not go far enough" and warned that schools are already overburdened. She acknowledged the strategy rightly targets misogynistic attitudes but stated "the level of investment to achieve this falls seriously short".
Claire Waxman, the incoming Victims' Commissioner, echoed concerns about funding, stressing that victim services must be the "backbone" of the strategy and require sustainable investment to be effective.
The VAWG announcement is part of a wider suite of measures unveiled this week, which also includes:
- Introducing specialist rape and sexual offences investigators to every police force.
- Providing better support for survivors within the NHS.
- A £19 million funding boost for councils to provide safe housing for domestic abuse survivors.
VAWG minister Jess Phillips told Sky News that without government intervention, the problem of violence against women and girls could double rather than be halved, emphasising the urgent need for the preventative measures now being implemented.
