Misogyny strategy to target boys as young as 11 at risk of doing harm

Children as young as 11 who demonstrate misogynistic behaviour will be taught the differences between pornography and real relationships as part of a multimillion-pound investment to tackle misogyny in schools, the Guardian understands.

- Alexandra Topping Rajeev Syal

As the government publishes its long-awaited strategy to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade, David Lammy said the battle "begins with how we raise our boys", adding that toxic masculinity and keeping girls and women safe were "bound together".

As part of the government's flagship strategy, which has been delayed since the spring, teachers will be able to send young people at risk of causing harm on behaviour courses, and trained to intervene if they witness disturbing or worrying behaviour.

The Guardian understands that courses could include teaching on image-based abuse and coercion, peer pressure, pornography literacy - including identifying differences between fantasy and real relationships - and online stalking.

The courses will complement the new curriculum on relationships, sex and health education, which is statutory for English state schools to follow from September 2026 and includes updated lessons that teach children how to spot AI deepfakes and other online harms, as well as how to foster healthy relationships.