The UK government has launched a major new strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, with a core focus on intervening early in schools. As part of a £20 million package of measures, teachers will receive specialist training to identify and challenge early signs of misogyny in boys.
New Measures to Challenge Toxic Attitudes
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned that "too often toxic ideas are taking hold early and going unchallenged". The concern is underscored by research suggesting more than 40% of young men hold a positive view of misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate, who has previously dismissed such concerns as "garbage".
The funding, comprising £16m from the taxpayer and £4m from philanthropists, will support a range of initiatives. Beyond spotting misogyny, teachers will get training on how to discuss consent and the dangers of sharing intimate images with pupils. Furthermore, all secondary school pupils in England will be taught about healthy relationships, with these lessons becoming mandatory by the end of the current parliament in 2029.
Pilot Scheme and Support Services
A pilot scheme will begin in selected schools in 2026, delivered by experts. The government will also establish an online helpline for teenagers who have concerns about their own behaviour in relationships.
Sir Keir stated the strategy is a "responsibility we owe to the next generation", adding: "Every parent should be able to trust that their daughter is safe at school, online and in her relationships. This government is stepping in sooner - backing teachers, calling out misogyny, and intervening when warning signs appear - to stop harm before it starts."
The move follows 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.
Criticism and Broader Context
However, the strategy has faced criticism over its scale of investment. Dame Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, said the commitments "do not go far enough" and that schools are already overburdened. She argued that "the level of investment to achieve this falls seriously short".
Claire Waxman, the incoming Victims' Commissioner, echoed concerns about sustainable funding for victim services, calling them the essential "backbone" of any effective plan.
The education-focused measures are part of a wider government push to halve violence against women and girls within ten years. Other announcements this week include deploying specialist rape investigators to every police force, improving NHS support for survivors, and a £19m boost for safe housing for domestic abuse survivors.
