Recommendation 8

HM Government Acknowledged

Prevention and an understanding of what works to support victims are fundamental to our approach to halve VAWG in a decade. The VAWG strategy and the accompanying Theory of Change are being developed using the best available evidence and expert knowledge. Where feasible, we will undertake evaluations of new and existing initiatives and approaches, working with academics and the third sector where appropriate. The Department for Education (DfE) leads on primary prevention. The Office for Students’ (OfS) new registration condition E6 takes effect on 01 August 2025. It sets out new requirements for English universities to prevent, as well as address and investigate, incidents of harassment and sexual misconduct. Compliance with the new requirements includes training students and staff in preventative measures. The DfE understands the OfS will review the effectiveness of the new requirements, and the delivery of effective practice by universities, in future. Following the introduction of E6, Universities UK, the membership body representing universities in England and the devolved administrations, intends to gather evidence of effective practice in preventing sexual misconduct in Higher Education. There is already significant evidence in the third sector, most notably in the Scottish EmilyTest sexual violence charity. The charity has been developing, promoting and monitoring effective preventative practice since 2016 and has recently launched a pilot programme for English universities. The DfE is promoting its sexual violence charter as a tool to help HE providers comply with, and go beyond, the OfS registration condition in the pastoral care of their students. The DfE is currently developing a toolkit for Further Education to give staff the skills and confidence to prevent sexual misconduct, relationship violence and coercive control among their student populations. The toolkit is due to be launched in November 2025; its effectiveness will be evaluated after twelve months, and this will inform future policy development. Prevention starts early, by ensuring that we build a society free from harmful misogynistic attitudes, tackle outdated gender norms, support young people to develop healthy relationships and correct myths about sexual violence. Education is one of our most important tools for preventing violence and abuse. DfE has published revised guidance on ‘Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education’ that will come into force on 1 September 2026. The changes to the curriculum will ensure schools have clarity to better protect children from growing harms. DfE continue to work closely with teachers and school leaders to understanding the challenges and build their evidence base for further interventions. The Home Office will continue to work with DfE and other departments to support the expansion of the evidence base for effective VAWG prevention. This will include analysis of linked administrative data and internal and external research and evaluation where feasible to further understand risk factors and what works.