Specialist relationship and sex education (RSE) lessons cut could sexual violence by as much as 17 per cent, according to research from the Youth Endowment Fund.
The independent charity has said that an analysis of 16 studies shows specific programmes focusing on dating and relationship violence could help young people spot early signs of unhealthy relationships.
It said the kind of violence it could cut includes emotional, physical and sexual violence and also online abuse.
The research said the sorts of activities that may be included in the lessons could be training to increase the identification of incidents of dating violence and improve students’ confidence to intervene.
Reading or listening to stories that include incidents of dating and relationship violence, often from the perspectives of both perpetrators and victims could also form another activity, the charity said.
It added that its research suggests some schools have been reluctant to support the delivery of violence prevention programmes “due to fear that it may negatively impact upon the reputation of the school”.
However, schools could put an engagement plan in place to proactively expose and address these perceptions, the charity said.
Jon Yates, executive director at the Youth Endowment Fund, said: “Misogynistic influencers are trying to teach many of our boys and young men a poisonous view of women and girls. We now have the tools to fight back.
“Through better sex and education lessons and bystander training, we could cut sexual violence in this country.”
The report comes after education secretary Gillian Keegan wrote to schools to “ensure” they are complying with a legal obligation to publish their relationship, health and sex education approach.
A Department for Education review of RSE is set to complete by the end of 2023.
