THE Education Department will monitor UK plans to give teachers training to spot misogyny in classrooms and “refine and update” its own programmes.
Earlier this week, the UK government announced plans to introduce classes in secondary schools in England as part of the government’s aim to cut violence against women and girls.
Teachers in England will receive training to tackle misogyny in the classroom and refer students deemed to be high risk to behavioural courses.
The legislation has been spearheaded by Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips who said the UK “will be the first place to try and do this and so we will find evidence-based interventions that work and we will offer those as resources to schools”.
A spokesperson for the Jersey’s Education Department said: “We welcome the fact that the UK is seeking to publish training for teachers on how to spot and tackle misogyny.
“When these are available, we will consider them and refine and update the resources that we are already working on.”
Jersey’s VAWG survey in 2023 found that almost 80% of respondents had experienced unwanted touching in their lifetime, while two-thirds stated that they do not believe that the government or Jersey’s courts take physical forms of VAWG seriously.
The report also highlighted the prevalence of VAWG amongst young girls, which increased as they got older:
- 20% of 11-14 year old girls surveyed had directly experienced VAWG.
- 43% of 15-16 year old girls surveyed had directly experienced VAWG.
- 57% of 17-18 year old girls surveyed had directly experience VAWG.
The report cited one respondent who said: “Boys should be taught in primary school that girls’ rights to themselves and their bodies matter, and that no means no.
“They are not objects for sexual gratification. They should be treated with respect as individuals with feelings.”
The Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey 2025 also revealed the lack of contentment amongst Jersey women. The survey showed that only 11% of women feel safe in an open space or park after dark on the island.
It also found that while Islanders across the board report lower levels of life satisfaction, happiness and feeling worthwhile as compared with their UK counterparts, this was far more pronounced amongst women.
Levels of happiness were reported as 7% higher amongst UK women compared with Jersey women, but this fell to 1% amongst men.
