A new report from the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) has revealed a lack of relationship education despite rising violence among young people.

Tender has responded to the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) Children, violence and vulnerability report which surveyed 10,000 teenage children aged 13-17 in England and Wales about their experiences of violence.

The results showed high exposure to violence, yet low understanding around healthy behaviours and relationships – and a severe lack of high-quality relationships education.

 Key findings include:

• 20% have experienced violence in the past year while 70% have encountered real-world violence online
• 27% reported encountering sexually violent content or threats online
• 33% have encountered online content that encourages violence against women and girls specifically
• Of those who have been in a relationship over the past year:
  • nearly half (49%) have experienced violent or controlling behaviours from their partner.
  • 31% have experienced physical or sexual violence
  • 20% have experienced force or pressure to do something sexual.

Relationships education

Despite high levels of exposure to and experience of violence, particularly within relationships, only 55% reported receiving lessons about consent, and only 43% about harassment. Just 40% had received lessons on how to be in healthy and respectful romantic relationships.

The impact shows – children who admit to perpetrating sexual violence were even less likely to have been taught about consent and harassment – only 39% and 31%, respectively.

Susie McDonald, CEO of Tender, said:

‘This survey is a disturbing illustration of the violence children and young people are facing at school, across social media – and in their relationships. Yet it’s sadly unsurprising given the lack of education they report receiving around these issues.  

‘Bombarded with harmful online content, our young people are entering their first relationships without the tools or understanding to navigate them safely. This is a critical safeguarding issue that must be immediately addressed.

‘Relationships education is no optional extra – it needs to be embedded throughout the curriculum. When taught by specially trained teachers, it empowers young people to understand key concepts like consent and respect, whilst equipping them the practical skills to lead healthy relationships.  

‘This report should be a wake-up call to the government, to policy makers and to us all. Abuse within relationships is preventable, but only with high quality specialist relationships education delivered in every UK school.’

Read the YEF report: Children, violence and vulnerability 2024.

Find out more about Tender’s strategy to prevent domestic abuse.