Children as young as six will be taught about domestic violence.
Pupils at primary and secondary schools across Brighton and Hove will be given “early intervention” lessons to prevent abuse.
The lessons for boys and girls from six years up will teach them not to hit, to be nice and how to build healthy relationships, as part of a £500,000 council strategy to cut domestic violence in the city.
More than 3,000 instances of domestic violence are reported to police in Brighton and Hove every year, but three times as many cases go unreported, it is thought.
Last year, almost 11,000 women in the city said they had been victims of emotional or physical abuse.
Children who have been affected could be targeted by the programme, which will include initiatives to tackle violence in minority groups.
Brighton and Hove City Council said reception-age children would not be given the lessons, but they intended to “ensure all children and young people are able to develop the skills they need to form healthy, equal and respectful relationships.”
As part of the programme, £100,000 will be used to help reduce violence in black and ethnic minority groups and to help the RISE service, which serves victims of domestic violence and children.
RISE had faced a cash shortfall following the end of charitable funding.
Anti-bullying and equality
The lessons will start next term but it is not yet known which schools will be included.
A council spokesman said: “The whole school approach to domestic violence prevention builds on good practice already in place in primary and secondary schools to further develop anti-bullying and equalities with a focus on sexist and sexual bullying and gender equality.
“Schools will be supported to further develop the curriculum. In secondary schools, this may include small group work with young people who are targeted as needing extra support in their relationships.
Supporting children
"Pastoral staff in schools will also be supported by training to better identify and support children and young people who are in homes where there is domestic violence and abuse.”
Detective Inspector Miles Ockwell from Sussex Police's anti-victimisation unit said: “Behind the statistics are personal tales of fear and often violence.
"We will continue to treat all domestic abuse incidents as a priority and work closely with other agencies to keep victims safe.
"Although the majority of domestic abuse occurs against women, nearly one in five victims of abuse is male.”
Conservative councillor Ann Norman questioned the council’s commitment to tackling domestic violence, after the Green administration backed out of a scheme to encourage victims to come forward earlier this month.
Coun Norman said: “I do wonder why the Greens could not find the £5,000 needed to join our partners such as West Sussex County Council, Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove Albion who are all supporting the excellent new Crimestoppers service which aims to increase anonymous third party reporting of abuse across the city.”
Anyone suffering any form of abuse by a partner or family member should call Sussex Police on 101 or, in an emergency, dial 999. Victims seeking support can call Rise on 01273 622822.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel