To: Department of Education. UK Government. Headteachers. School leaders.
Healthy relationships taught to children
1 in 5 adults experience Domestic Abuse during their lifetime. This equates to: 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6-7 men. The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 2.1 million people aged 16 years and over (1.4 million women and 751,000 men) experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023. Police are inundated with calls to domestic incidents annually.
I think there is a lack of awareness among the population about what constitutes domestic abuse. Including what behaviours and acts constitute abuse in their own households. As a consequence I believe more people are tolerating abuse as they may not possess the knowledge of the spectrum of domestic abuse, not just violence but sexual, financial psychological, emotional abuse as well as coercive controlling behaviour.
Therefore I think it would be prudent for both healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors to be added to the curriculum for primary and secondary children as a one off lesson at multiple ages as a minimum. This would give children awareness of what type of behaviors to be aware of so they can spot potential abusive behaviors esrly and also inform them what types of behavour they shouldn't adopt in their own relationships in future.
I think this may help potential future victims of domestic abuse spot these signs early and leave the relationship. I think this may also highlight to children who may become abusers in future thar these types of behavours shouldn't be adopted. This may reduce potential victims and offenders.
I think there is a lack of awareness among the population about what constitutes domestic abuse. Including what behaviours and acts constitute abuse in their own households. As a consequence I believe more people are tolerating abuse as they may not possess the knowledge of the spectrum of domestic abuse, not just violence but sexual, financial psychological, emotional abuse as well as coercive controlling behaviour.
Therefore I think it would be prudent for both healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors to be added to the curriculum for primary and secondary children as a one off lesson at multiple ages as a minimum. This would give children awareness of what type of behaviors to be aware of so they can spot potential abusive behaviors esrly and also inform them what types of behavour they shouldn't adopt in their own relationships in future.
I think this may help potential future victims of domestic abuse spot these signs early and leave the relationship. I think this may also highlight to children who may become abusers in future thar these types of behavours shouldn't be adopted. This may reduce potential victims and offenders.
Why is this important?
The impact of domestic abuse on families is not quantifiable.
Educating children about healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors may help them navigate their personal relationships with more knowledge on how to and how not to behave.
The cost to the tax payer for these crimes to be investigated/prosecuted is staggering.
I myself have been the victim of domestic abuse, which spanned years and although I was aware I was deeply affected by the actions and words of my abuser at the time, I didn't actually understand that it was domestic abuse until months after the relationship ended and opened up more to people who knew the law relating to these offences.
I have since undertaken a course on how to identify unhealthy relationships and partners displaying abusive behaviors and I believe had I had this awareness at a young age, I would have been able to spot and report the abuse and avoid the abuse I suffered.
Educating children about healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors may help them navigate their personal relationships with more knowledge on how to and how not to behave.
The cost to the tax payer for these crimes to be investigated/prosecuted is staggering.
I myself have been the victim of domestic abuse, which spanned years and although I was aware I was deeply affected by the actions and words of my abuser at the time, I didn't actually understand that it was domestic abuse until months after the relationship ended and opened up more to people who knew the law relating to these offences.
I have since undertaken a course on how to identify unhealthy relationships and partners displaying abusive behaviors and I believe had I had this awareness at a young age, I would have been able to spot and report the abuse and avoid the abuse I suffered.
