The Secretary of State for tackling violence against women, Jess Phillips, announced the measure, aimed at combating the impact of toxic behavior spread online. Teachers will receive expert training and will be able to select which students must participate in these workshops.
The courses will educate students on key issues such as consent, identifying positive role models, and how to question unhealthy myths about women and relationships. A primary goal is for young people to learn to differentiate between pornography and real relationships, thereby improving sexual education.
“"All parents should be able to trust that their daughters are safe at school, online, and in their relationships. Too often, however, toxic ideas take root from a young age and are not questioned."
This initiative complements the new Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum, which will be mandatory for public schools starting in September 2026. The plan includes updated lessons on artificial intelligence (AI), deepfakes, and online abuse.
The program, funded with £20 million (€22.7 million), is part of a broader Executive plan to halve violence against women over the next decade. In addition to prevention, the plan includes increased prosecution of sexual offenses with the creation of specialized units in police forces across England and Wales.
