Teenagers as young as 14 will be taught that strangling someone during sex can result in a prison sentence, as part of new government-backed lessons addressing the normalisation of choking among young people. The offence of intentional strangulation or suffocation carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
New RSHE Curriculum Details
The lessons, designed for 14 to 15-year-olds, will be incorporated into the updated Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum in England. Schools will have access to materials developed by Oak National Academy, an arm's length body that supports schools with curriculum content. New statutory guidance is due to come into force in September.
Beyond strangulation, the curriculum covers issues such as not assuming blanket consent during intercourse, setting boundaries with a partner, and recognising toxic relationship behaviours, including phone snooping and gaslighting—a form of emotional abuse that makes victims question their own memory.
Addressing Harmful Influences
Oak National Academy stated that the lessons aim to help teachers tackle the growing influence of the manosphere and incel culture in classrooms. Intentionally strangling or suffocating another person is a criminal offence, and while consent can be a defence in law, this does not apply if the victim suffers serious harm, if the accused intended to cause serious harm, or if they were reckless as to whether serious harm would occur. The new lessons will clarify that consent cannot be relied upon as a defence in such cases.
Official Support and Quotes
Schools minister Georgia Gould said: "Misogynistic views are not innate, they are learned, and we are using every possible tool to achieve our mission of halving violence against women and girls. From this September, every school will be required to teach our new RSHE guidance – helping challenge and tackle harmful myths and behaviours early. Oak National Academy’s new resources mean teachers have everything they need to have these conversations safely, confidently, and with the support of high-quality, expert-backed materials."
John Roberts, chief executive of Oak National Academy, added: "We can’t run from difficult topics, otherwise young people are left to navigate them alone. The new RSHE guidance will bring a lot of sensitive discussions into classrooms. That’s a good thing. Teachers are well placed to hold these conversations safely and productively. But they need support to do it well."
Impact and Implementation
The lessons are part of a broader government effort to reduce violence against women and girls. By educating teenagers early about the legal consequences and ethical boundaries of sexual behaviour, the initiative aims to prevent harmful practices and promote respectful relationships. Teachers will receive expert-backed materials to facilitate these discussions confidently and safely.
