Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that all schools teach awareness of violence against women and girls.

As part of the Government response to the Women and Equalities select committee report into sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools we are considering how best to ensure pupils learn about healthy and respectful relationships as part of Relationships Education in primary schools and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in secondary schools. This is an important aspect in improving awareness about violence, including against women and girls.

We have begun an engagement process with stakeholders to help reach evidence-based decisions on the content of the regulations and guidance on Relationships Education and RSE, as well as further consideration of the status of Personal, Social, Health and Economic education.

We envisage draft regulations and guidance will be published for consultation in 2018. Regulations will then be laid alongside final draft guidance allowing for a full and considered debate in Parliament.

In addition, schools and colleges must have regard to statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. KCSIE sets out that governing bodies and proprietors should ensure children are taught about safeguarding, including online safety.