We are pleased that the work of LMK has been featured in the recently published report by White Ribbon UK and the Centre for Protecting Women Online, which highlights to the Government the existing initiatives that prevent Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
The report makes the case that if we want to end violence against women and girls, we need to start much earlier – and invest in education that builds respectful attitudes long before harm happens. It also points to core challenges that mirror what we see every day:
• Primary prevention is underfunded, despite being the most effective long-term solution
• Schools need whole-staff training, not reliance on one “VAWG lead”
• Digital harms are growing, with pornography, online misogyny and image-sharing shaping behaviours
• Young people need support to challenge harmful norms, not just identify risk
This week, we are expecting the Government to finally publish its VAWG Strategy aimed at halving VAWG in 10 years. At LMK, we strongly agree with White Ribbon and the Centre for Protecting Women Online that the Strategy offers a real opportunity to prioritise primary prevention. Evidence shows that a shift to prevention is essential, and would help relieve some of the burden on the already over stretched criminal justice system.
As part of the VAWG Strategy, we are told that ministers will focus on prevention and tackling the root causes of radicalisation of young men in their schools, homes and online. They will work with teachers to challenge misogyny and promote healthy relationships.
Lets hope that this marks a turning point in tackling VAWG – that the Government meaningfully invests to make sure those who deliver relationship education in the UK are trained and supported. Education must be effective and impactful, fundamentally challenging harmful attitudes and beliefs that young people so often internalise in a misogynistic and systemically sexist culture, and helping them understand what a genuinely healthy relationship looks and feels like.
At LMK, we are proud that our work is driving that change. Our workshops with young people address both victim awareness and the perpetrator behaviours young people may be displaying, particularly given the impact of media, pornography, and harmful online content. Evidence from our work shows increased awareness among young people of what constitutes a safe and respectful relationship.
White Ribbon’s message is clear: the UK must prioritise prevention if we want to stop violence before it takes place. We couldn’t agree more.