The UK government is launching a major new initiative to combat the spread of misogynistic views among young people, directly targeting the influence of controversial online figures. A £36 million strategy to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) will see teachers receive specialist training to identify 'toxic ideas' and harmful behaviours in boys.
Compulsory Lessons and a New Helpline
At the heart of the flagship plan, unveiled on Thursday 18 December 2025, is a mandate for compulsory healthy relationships lessons for all secondary school pupils in England. This educational drive is backed by a £20 million funding package. The strategy also includes the creation of a dedicated new helpline for teenagers and aims for every secondary school in the country to be teaching these crucial lessons by the end of the current parliament.
Pilot schools will be selected to roll out the programme next year. The move comes 18 months after Labour's election pledge to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, and addresses growing concerns over high rates of teenage relationship abuse and the alarming number of young men who hold positive views of figures like Andrew Tate.
Criticism and Commitment
Despite the significant investment, the strategy has already faced criticism for not going far enough. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Dame Nicole Jacobs, stated that the investment and commitments outlined do not match the scale of the challenge. The government, however, insists the plan represents a crucial step forward in a long-term cultural shift.
The specialist teacher training component is designed to equip educators with the tools to spot early signs of harmful attitudes and intervene effectively. Programmes will also be available for children already displaying problematic behaviour. This proactive approach seeks to stem the pipeline of toxic ideas before they solidify into abusive actions.
A Direct Challenge to Online Misogyny
The strategy explicitly names the influence of misogynistic social media personalities as a key driver of concerning attitudes among boys and young men. Figures like Andrew Tate, whose views have been widely condemned as deeply misogynistic, are seen as a particular target of the new educational offensive. The government's plan signals a direct attempt to counter the narratives spread by such influencers with evidence-based education on consent, respect, and equality.
While the focus is firmly on prevention through education, the success of the £36 million strategy will ultimately be measured by its ability to create tangible, lasting change in attitudes and a reduction in violence against women and girls across the UK.
