A University of York academic has contributed to a major parliamentary report which has revealed the worrying scale of violence against women and girls.
A new report calls for urgent action against violence towards women and girls.
The report warns that the problem is in our classrooms, playgrounds and online spaces and without urgent, shared efforts, many young people will continue to be at risk.
The findings draw on expert evidence from Professor Vanita Sundaram, whose research focuses on gender, education and sexual violence in schools and universities.
Professor Sundaram, from the University of York's Department of Education, said: "Gender-based violence and harassment are not isolated incidents, they are symptoms of a wider culture of inequality that enables and minimises harmful behaviour. Schools have a vital role to play in changing that culture."
National threat
Violence against women and girls is increasingly recognised not just as a crime, but as a public health crisis. In 2023, the Home Office classified violence against girls and women as a national threat, and in 2024 the National Police Chiefs' Council called it an "epidemic". Impacts of violence against women and girls include poor mental health, low school attendance, engagement and attainment.
Official statistics show girls aged between 10 and 15 are particularly vulnerable, especially to online abuse.Violence against women and girls also intersects with other inequalities, such as racism.
This can lead to racially minoritised girls being treated as older and less vulnerable than other children of the same age (a phenomenon known as 'adultification'). This often leads to both under-reporting and a lack of action when disclosures are made.
Systemic failures
Although there are existing governmental strategies to tackle the issue, the report highlights their systemic failures. For example, unclear terminology makes it harder to track the scale of the problem and data on individuals under the age of 16 is patchy, leaving major blind spots in policymaking.
Surveys also show that many girls and young women do not believe the police will take them seriously if they report abuse, and in 2023 only 5% of crimes relating to domestic abuse led to prosecution.
Further, schools themselves often lack the tools to respond to the issues. Teachers report feeling under-trained to deliver Relationship and Sex Education and being unsure of how to challenge or change harmful behaviour, such as sexist language or behaviour that suggests engagement with misogynistic content.
Promising interventions
Despite these faults, the report also highlights promising interventions. Among these are whole-school approaches, where teachers, staff, pupils and parents work together to change school culture, showing the most positive, long-term results.
The POSTnote draws on international examples from Sweden, Australia and the United States, where school-based bystander programmes, improvement of digital literacy and integrated support services, have shown measurable reductions in harassment and abuse.
Evidence also shows programmes that engage both boys and girls and include parents are more effective. According to the report, only long-term, well-funded, cross-sector programmes can change attitudes and behaviours.
Professor Sundaram said: With the right training, resources and commitment, schools can become places where harmful gender norms are challenged and every young person feels safe, respected and able to thrive."
Further information:
Read the full report: UK Parliament's Office of Science and Technology - Violence against women and girls in schools and among children and young people
