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<p>Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England
only.</p><p>Recommendation 10 of this report proposes the development of a national
education initiative in schools which educates young people on ways they can play
a role in preventing violence against women and girls.</p><p>Schools and colleges
have a critical role to play in protecting children and keeping them safe. Since September
2020, relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) has been a statutory part of
the curriculum. RSHE teaches pupils what healthy relationships look like, and the
concepts of, and laws relating to, all forms of abuse. The RSHE statutory guidance
also advises schools to be aware of issues such as sexism, misogyny, homophobia, and
gender stereotypes, and to take positive action to tackle these issues. The RSHE guidance
can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education</a>.</p><p>As
with other aspects of the curriculum, schools have flexibility over how they deliver
RSHE, so they can develop an integrated approach that is sensitive to the needs and
backgrounds of their pupils. Some schools choose to deliver programmes which include
lessons on how to be an active bystander. Rape, harassment, and abuse are explicitly
taught about in the ‘Being Safe’ topic. Schools should teach pupils the knowledge
they need to recognise and report abuse, including emotional, physical, and sexual
abuse. Pupils should know how to report concerns and seek advice when they suspect
or know that something is wrong.</p><p>Following the Ofsted Review of sexual abuse
in schools and colleges, the Department is producing non-statutory guidance that will
focus on how to teach RSHE to prevent sexual harassment and sexual violence. This
guidance is to be published in 2023.</p><p> </p>
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