A healthy relationship is when everyone feels respected, trusted and valued for who they are. It’s natural for children and teenagers to be curious about sex and relationships as they grow older. But for some parents and carers, their child starting a new relationship or becoming sexually active can also be a worrying time. More young people are also starting relationships online and using things like social media or video apps to communicate with their partners.

What do children and young people learn in relationship, sex and health education?

We want to make sure that young people understand what healthy relationships look like and how to navigate their personal lives in a positive, safe and healthy way.

That’s why we introduced the statutory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) curriculum. We regularly review the RSHE guidance to make sure it’s relevant, safe and effective.

Act on it Now: a site developed for young people, by young people

Learn about what healthy, unhealthy and toxic relationships look like. Get help if you’re worried about your own relationship or someone else’s.

Website

Harmful Sexual Behaviour

“Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) is developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviour which is displayed by children and young people and which may be harmful or abusive. It can be displayed towards younger children, peers, older children or adults. It’s harmful to the children and young people who display it, as well as those it is directed towards.”

NSPCC briefing (2017)

Incels | A short guide for those teaching Year 10 and above

This guide explains what the Incel online subculture is and the signs that a young person may be engaging with it.

Read

Violence against Women and Girls

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.

In general terms, it manifests itself in physical, sexual and psychological forms, encompassing:

intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide);
sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber- harassment);
human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation);
female genital mutilation; and
child marriage.

(United Nations 2019)

Domestic Violence

We define domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer. It is very common. In the vast majority of cases it is experienced by women and is perpetrated by men.

Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:

Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)
Psychological and/or emotional abuse
Physical or sexual abuse
Financial or economic abuse
Harassment and stalking
Online or digital abuse

(Women’s Aid)

Cornwall

Cornwall Domestic Abuse Helpline (24hrs)
01872 225629
Victim Support for Devon and Cornwall
0300 303 0554
Cornwall Women’s Refuge Trust (24hrs)
01872 225629
Esteem (support for male victims)
01872 321546

Plymouth

Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service
01752 252033
Victim Support for Devon and Cornwall
0300 303 0554

Devon

Devon’s Domestic Abuse Helpline
0345 155 1074
Victim Support for Devon and Cornwall
0300 303 0554
North Devon Against Domestic Abuse
01271 321946

Torbay

Are you ok?
(Torbay domestic abuse service)
01803 698869
Victim Support for Devon and Cornwall
0300 303 0554

Encompass

Operation Encompass is a unique Police and Education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people exposed to domestic abuse.

Operation Encompass is a Trauma Informed and Trauma Sensitive charity. We acknowledge and understand the impact of Domestic Abuse as an Adverse Childhood Experience(ACE)

Operation Encompass mitigates against the damage caused by exposure to Domestic Abuse and other ACE’s.

At last there is someone I can talk to