Safeguarding Adolescents Through Education, Regulation and Community Action

Adolescence is a period of growth—where young people shape their identities, form relationships, and develop the beliefs that they will take with them into adulthood. For too many, this transition is being shaped by harmful online content, toxic ideologies, and a lack of safe spaces to learn about healthy relationships. 

At Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse, we know that prevention is key. If we are to end domestic abuse, we must start with education, training, and a collective responsibility to equip young people with the knowledge and support they need. We also need to ensure we understand the online trends young people use on a frequent basis.  

Education alone is not enough. We need systemic change—through regulation, training, and a Coordinated Community Response (CCR). We also need men and boys to be clear that misogyny has no place in our society.  

Train & Educate the Next Generation 

• Every young person deserves access to relationship and sex education (RSE) that is evidence-based, age-appropriate, and free from harmful gender stereotypes. 

• Schools, youth organisations, and community services must work together to provide training for educators, social workers, and frontline professionals, ensuring they are equipped to spot signs of harm, intervene early, and guide young people towards safe and healthy choices. 

Strengthen Multi-Agency Collaboration & Coordinated Community Response (CCR) 

• Harmful online influences and domestic abuse cannot be tackled in silos—we need schools, social services, police, health professionals, and the tech industry working together. 

• Coordinated Community Response (CCR) must be embedded into local and national safeguarding strategies—so that no young person falls through the cracks when they reach out for help. 

Regulate Digital Spaces to Protect Young Minds 

• The rise of misogynistic and extremist online content is shaping attitudes towards young people, women, relationships, and violence. 

• We call on tech companies to take accountability, policymakers to enforce regulation, and communities to challenge harmful narratives—before they take root in lives and communities. 
  

A Future Free from Abuse Begins with Prevention 

The choices we make today—how we educate, regulate, and respond as a community—will shape the futures of young people across the country. 

• At Standing Together, we remain committed to: 
  
  - Training professionals across public services to recognise, respond, and prevent abuse before it escalates. 
  - Strengthening the Coordinated Community Response (CCR) so every agency works together to protect children and young people. 
  - Amplifying survivor voices and advocating for policy change that prioritises education, intervention, and accountability. 

Ending domestic abuse starts with prevention. It starts with ensuring young people are equipped to reject violence, challenge harmful narratives, and build a future where respect, equality, and safety are non-negotiable. 

We call on government, schools, social services, and tech leaders to act now. Young people deserve better.