Schools in England and Wales are being urged to enhance their relationship and sex education curriculum by introducing lessons specifically focused on preventing relationship violence among teenagers.
The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF), with backing from the Home Office, has released new findings recommending that secondary schools appoint dedicated Relationship Violence Prevention Leads.
These roles, similar to existing mental health coordinators, would help ensure students are taught how to recognise the signs of abuse, coercive control, stalking, harassment, and other forms of unhealthy relationships.
To support this effort, the YEF is proposing a pilot scheme that would provide each participating school with £8,000 for staff training, external support, and lesson development.
The aim is to improve the quality and delivery of relationship education and address the current gaps in understanding around emotional, physical and psychological abuse.
Since the introduction of statutory guidance for relationships, sex, and health education (RSHE) in 2020, many schools have made progress.
However, research from the YEF shows that a significant number of pupils still miss out on essential knowledge about healthy relationships, how to set boundaries, and how to seek help if they experience abuse.
One of the challenges highlighted by the YEF is that some schools are reluctant to openly discuss these lessons, due to concerns about how it may be perceived by parents. Nonetheless, experts stress that relationship violence is a widespread issue affecting young people across all communities, and that prevention education is necessary in every school.
Data from the YEF indicates that nearly a third of teachers delivering RSHE have not received any formal training, and more than a quarter lack confidence in helping students leave unhealthy relationships. Nearly half of teachers reported difficulty in guiding students who have witnessed sexual assault.
Further support for the initiative comes from the Sex Education Forum, which found that only half of young people believe their RSHE lessons are effective. While topics like puberty and consent are usually well-covered, more complex areas such as pornography, emotional abuse, and power imbalances are often neglected.
Teaching students how to understand emotions, manage conflict, and build respectful relationships is seen as essential not only for personal development but also for reducing long-term harm. However, ensuring that these lessons are taught effectively requires investment in training and resources for teachers.
The proposal aims to equip students with vital life skills that go beyond classroom learning—encouraging empathy, respect, and safer choices in relationships.
