In a parliamentary briefing at Portcullis House, Tender launched a new strategy to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence throughout the UK.

Hosted by Jess Philips MP, speakers included Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, Gareth Edwards, Director of the Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme (VKPP), representatives from Tender’s Youth Board and teachers and young people working on the frontlines.

Tender presented three core pillars for preventing violence and abuse by empowering children and young people through relationships education.  

Susie McDonald, CEO of Tender, called on UK leaders to:

• Commit to an integrated government Prevention Agenda that draws together the best thinking from both education and VAWG specialists at local, regional and national levels.

• Designate the Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum a specialist subject with core elements aligned to safeguarding policies, best practice and quality assurance. Teachers of RSHE must be equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to support young people to safely navigate relationships (of all kinds) in their early years. 

• Ensure that all schools to have access to trained specialist teachers and/or local accredited delivery partners. High quality teacher training is required to deliver consistent, safe, healthy relationship education that is informed by VAWG specialists and the voice of young people.

Speaking at the event, Jess Phillips MP said:

‘We have an opportunity to make a long-term strategy. We must plan for the next 10 years. It can’t go on any more. Prevention is the thing we didn’t try yet. It’s got to be worth a go.’

A public health crisis

Domestic abuse is a public health crisis of epidemic proportions. One woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK (Femicide Census, 2020). Young people aged 16-24 are the age group most likely to experience domestic abuse in their relationships (ONS, 2022).

For a child starting in secondary school in September 2024, there is no guarantee that they will receive high quality relationships education. RSHE is not yet seen as a specialist subject and is therefore left to schools to work out who teaches it and when it is taught.

Tender is calling for a fully-funded suite of domestic abuse prevention interventions that seek to respond to this public health crisis, underpinned by a consistent, high quality and effective relationships education for all children in England from age five by the end of the decade.

Tender CEO, Susie McDonald said:

‘Integrated prevention is the only way to end domestic abuse and sexual violence in the UK. This starts with embedded healthy relationships education for all children and young people – with the long-term investment that creates long-term change.

‘As a specialist subject, RSHE will bring together education and VAWG experts to ensure all children and young people receive the high-quality relationships education they need – taught by educators with the training to deliver the subject effectively and consistently.

‘Only by adopting our three priorities will UK leaders demonstrate their commitment to ending violence and abuse – and to supporting the next generation with this critical education.’

More information

Download the full strategy: A strategy for the next generation: For every child in every school.

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As a specialist subject, RSHE will bring together education and VAWG experts to ensure all children and young people receive the high-quality relationships education they need – taught by educators with the training to deliver the subject effectively and consistently.