New data on rates of sexual abuse and violence in schools published by The Guardian shows that 8,500 sexual offences against under-13s at school were recorded by police between 2021 and 2025 – more than four offences a day.

Susie McDonald, CEO of Tender, said:

‘These horrifying statistics highlight the urgent need for prevention education from primary school age.

‘Harmful ideas and influences are impacting children’s lives from a shockingly young age, far earlier than the majority have the language or understanding to navigate  safely or seek support.

‘Right now, many young people are at risk of experiencing or perpetrating sexual violence because they do not have access to high-quality relationships education that will give them an understanding around consent and boundaries This crucial education needs to begin at primary school where we can nurture age appropriate conversations early, preventing harmful behaviours from taking root in the first place.

‘At Tender, we meet children every day in our workshops who are hungry for the time and the tools to discuss these issues and practice ways to protect themselves and prevent harassment and abuse. They want to know how to support each other and to have the confidence to make choices about their relationships.

‘We have the evidence that we can empower young people to identify abuse, confidently challenge the behaviour of their peers and seek help if they need it* – but they need high-quality healthy relationships education to make this a reality.

‘Right now, too many schools simply don’t have access to effective, specialist training for their teachers to deliver the RSHE curriculum or ringfenced funding to partner with specialists like Tender**. If the government is serious about protecting our children – or indeed halving violence against women and girls – they must be equally serious about investing in prevention education for all schools.

‘We’ve seen strategies, we’ve seen discussions – now, it’s time to see action.’

*Before a Tender workshop, only 19% of secondary students said they knew a lot or a good amount about where to find support or advice about relationships, 23% about the role of power and control, and 22% about spotting early warning signs of abuse. Well-taught RSHE can shift this. After the workshop, those figures were 61%, 66% and 65% respectively.

**After Tender INSET training, 93% of teachers understood the nature and prevalence of abuse, and 84% understood the impact of abuse on young people. 66% felt confident discussing healthy relationships with their students, and 65% felt confident they could respond sensitively to the needs of students experiencing abuse.

Media enquiries 

Tender CEO Susie McDonald MBE is available for interview.  

For interview requests and further media enquiries, please contact katevine@tender.org.uk and isadora@tender.org.uk.   

Visit Tender’s Media centre.