“I have been whistled at whilst trying to teach, and in one extreme case, a boy pushed his crotch up against my back to intimidate me.”
This is just one of the real testimonies of the misogyny increasingly gripping our schools, from female teachers whose job is hard enough without dealing with the appalling behaviour of some of the boys in their classes.
“Female teachers have been sexually assaulted by male pupils in corridors and classrooms”, said another teacher. "Often when there’s a crowd so that they’re more likely to get away with it.”
Misogyny, of course, is not a new problem, but there is a new vector which has allowed a vicious form of misogyny to spread: the internet, and the vile pick-up artists and misogynists masquerading as self-help gurus who use it to ply their trade.
Teachers report that the poisonous influence of influencers like Andrew Tate is now deeply embedded among boys. One said recently that when she challenges Tate’s views, boys in her class defend him, “like he was their mate”.
Like a virus, this insidious hatred has made its way into our schools, and I know I’m not alone in my concern about how the internet can radicalise some young boys into hating women.
This is becoming a latent problem for society in the future: if boys with troubling views about women are not properly challenged and educated, they can take these views into adulthood, potentially storing up problems in their relationships, which in some cases can lead to violence. We need to break this appalling cycle.
We know that violence and abuse doesn't come from nowhere. It's not innate, it is taught. And that means that we can teach something else, something better. That is why, although the theme for this years’ 16 days is “it starts with men”, this government’s approach is that it must start with boys. Just as I want to protect our girls from violence, I want to protect our boys from these vicious influences. All children deserve better than this.
The PM has promised “change” – but what does this look like for women and girls?
In opposition, we committed to tackling misogyny in our schools and in wider society. That’s why, alongside the work we are doing to strengthen the Online Safety Act, my department has published a new guide to equip teachers with the knowledge to understand incel culture and extreme misogyny. It explores the associated harms, and what to do when they have concerns about the young people they teach.
As educators, it’s vital to recognise the signs of these dangerous ideas as early as possible, and challenge them before they take hold. The free guide is aimed towards teachers of key stage 4 and older students and is available on our Educate Against Hate website.
The best way to protect our young people from such harmful content is to equip them with the skills they need to recognise and reject it. Our amazing teachers work tirelessly to teach pupils to tackle such tough issues. Through relationships, sex, and health education (RSHE), young people can develop empathy, respect for difference, and the critical thinking skills to move safely through the online world. We are reviewing the content of RSHE and putting children’s wellbeing at the heart of guidance for schools.
Although we are clear that meaningful long-term change requires early intervention, this government is dedicated to leading change at all levels of society. That’s why we have committed to halving violence against women and girls in a decade. So we are putting more police on our streets and getting more domestic abuse and rape specialists so that victims can be adequately supported.
We break down her voting history and comments on abortion rights, image-based abuse and more.
I have been deeply passionate about ending violence against women and girls my entire adult life. My first protest was Reclaim the Night, where I marched for myself and for all the women we have lost to this senseless violence. Before I became a politician, I ran a refuge in my home town for women and children fleeing domestic violence. This work is what motivates me, it’s why I got into politics in the first place, so that I could bring real, meaningful change for women and girls everywhere.
I want every woman and girl to know that this government is a government of change. We are on your side. Women can only take advantage of opportunities available to them if they are safe.
Eliminating violence against women and girls is my life’s work, which is why for these 16 days, and for the remaining 349 days of the year, we will do everything we can to eradicate this hatred.
If you have been sexually assaulted, you can find your nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre here. You can also find support at your local GP, voluntary organisations such as Rape Crisis, Women's Aid, and Victim Support, and you can report it to the police (if you choose) here.
She spoke to GLAMOUR about life in government, tackling male violence, and why she has no regrets for calling out Andrew Tate.
