Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE)
Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse
On this page
Domestic violence or abuse covers any violent behaviour within a family or relationship. It can include (but is not limited to) emotional, psychological, physical, sexual and financial abuse. Child abuse falls under this category when a family member harms, neglects or bullies a child or young person. The NSPCC estimates that one in five children are exposed to domestic abuse.
Evidence suggests that educational programmes, such as RSE, can help change children’s and young people’s attitudes towards domestic abuse. Prevention through education is an important response that contributes to the well-being of children and young people.
In Northern Ireland, on average, domestic abuse is reported to police every 16 minutes and a sexual offence every two hours.
On 25 September 2024, Justice Minister Naomi Long and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt jointly launched the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2024–2031.
A whole-society approach is required to tackle domestic and sexual abuse. It’s vital that the voices of victims, including children and young people, are valued and at the core of decision-making. Pillar 3 of the strategy specifically refers to the impact of domestic and sexual abuse on children and young people. The other four pillars cover partnership, prevention, support and provision, and justice.
The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2024–2031 is closely aligned to the Executive’s Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls. The strategy adopts an inclusive approach and recognises that anyone can be a victim of domestic and/or sexual abuse, regardless of age, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any form of disability.
This area of the RSE Hub signposts to resources and guidance information for teachers, parents/carers, and children and young people on domestic and sexual violence and abuse. It also signposts to local organisations that can offer confidential advice and support to children and young people, and families.
Primary
Children can be abused at any age and in any environment, so it’s important that they have the knowledge to recognise when they may be at risk and reduce their vulnerability to violence or sexual abuse. Most abused children know their perpetrator, and it may even be another child.
To protect themselves, children should be taught about:
- safe boundaries and inappropriate touch, and that some parts are private and not for everyone to see, touch or take pictures of;
- the fact that no-one should ask them to touch someone else’s private parts; and
- how some secrets, such as secrets about their bodies, are not okay and that they should trust their instincts if they feel uncomfortable about something.
They should also know who to go to if they feel uncomfortable or at risk and that they will never be in trouble for telling a trusted adult about an incident or unpleasant experience. Children should also be aware of their responsibilities to respect the privacy and boundaries of others.
Research shows that preventative work in schools should start early, before attitudes start to become fixed. This work should aim to proactively prevent violence or sexual abuse from featuring in their lives, rather than providing reactive intervention after it happens.
Exploring issues such as domestic and sexual violence and abuse in the classroom may lead to increased numbers of disclosures in schools. Teachers should follow their school’s child protection policy at all times.
Schools should be proactive in establishing links with local agencies, such as Women’s Aid, that work with schools to provide domestic violence training for teachers and support for children. See Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland – Local groups for more information.
Primary Links
Here are some links that we think are particularly useful for this topic:
This preventative education programme for primary school pupils aims to inform them of their right to feel safe at all times and develop their self-esteem and confidence - womensaidni.org
Nexus provides counselling to children aged 8 and above who have been impacted by child sexual abuse.
This helpline provides information and support to people aged 16+ who have been directly or indirectly impacted by domestic and sexual abuse across Northern Ireland.
This page gives contact details for the Gateway teams in Northern Ireland. If you think a child or young person under the age of 18 is being abused, exploited (including online) or neglected, contact the Gateway team in your local Health and Social Care Trust.
Post-Primary
The transition from childhood to adulthood is a complex one that impacts on the social, emotional, psychological, physical and biological development of a young person. As a result, young people who experience domestic abuse do so at a particularly vulnerable point in their lives. According to SafeLives, young people experience the highest rates of domestic abuse of any age group.
Young people also now experience abuse through new technologies. Online platforms have been cited as enabling harassment and other forms of abuse.
Abuse in young people’s relationships doesn’t always mean physical violence. It may be:
- pressuring a partner into having sex;
- continually checking up on a partner, for example by accessing their social media accounts;
- exhibiting controlling behaviour; and
- presenting unnecessary or irrational jealousy or anger.
Young people should have opportunities to explore the characteristics of abusive relationships in a safe and respectful environment, challenging attitudes and gender stereotypes that can lead to abusive behaviours.
They should consider concepts of power within relationships and why abused partners often stay with their abuser for reasons like financial insecurity or threats to them or their family members. They should also discuss the importance of communication and respect within healthy relationships.
Exploring these issues in the classroom may lead to increased numbers of disclosures in schools. Teachers should follow their school’s child protection policy at all times.
Schools should be proactive in establishing links with local agencies, such as Women’s Aid, that work with schools to provide domestic violence training for teachers and support for children and young people. See Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland – Local groups for more information.
Post-Primary Units
Unit 1: Relationships and Domestic Abuse
In this unit, pupils learn general information about domestic abuse and how to understand and identify what makes a relationship healthy or unhealthy.
Unit 2: Types of Domestic Abuse
In this unit, pupils learn the definition of domestic abuse, how to recognise different types of domestic abuse, and how to understand and dispel common myths about domestic abuse.
Unit 3: Identifying Domestic Abuse
In this unit, pupils learn about different types of domestic abuse and how to identify examples of domestic abuse.
Unit 4: Domestic Abuse and Its Impact
In this unit, pupils learn about how to review and understand statistics about abuse, determine acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, and understand the impact of domestic abuse on men and women.
Unit 5: Online Abuse and Sexting
In this unit, pupils learn about the term sexting, the laws relating to it, the risks and impact involved with it and how victims of sexting or online abuse can seek help and support.
Unit 6: Domestic Abuse and the Law
In this unit, pupils use the Domestic Abuse Awareness Raising Tool (DAART) for Northern Ireland to develop understanding of the legislation on domestic abuse. They also use the Department of Justice’s Guide for Young People to learn about Northern Ireland’s Victim Charter.
Unit 7: Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
In this unit, pupils learn about the different types of violence that women and girls can experience, and the emotional and physical impact of violence and coercive control. They discuss ways to help address VAWG, explore how the Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls aims to tackle VAWG in Northern Ireland, and learn where victims can get help, advice and support.
Unit 7 SEN: Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
In this unit, learners with SEN develop their understanding of the different types of violence that women and girls can experience. They learn about inappropriate behaviour, different forms of coercive control, and where victims can get help, advice and support.
Post-Primary Links
Here are some links that we think are particularly useful for this topic:
Including lesson plans, films and activities, these resources can help pupils recognise and respond to behaviour linked to issues such as child sexual exploitation - learning.nspcc.org.uk
These workshops can help to #BreakTheCycle of sexual abuse and abusive relationships by educating young people on topics such as body boundaries, healthy relationships, consent (in all sorts of relationships), cyber safety, spiking awareness, grooming and body image.
Nexus provides counselling to children aged 8 and above who have been impacted by child sexual abuse.
This helpline provides information and support to people aged 16+ who have been directly or indirectly impacted by domestic and sexual abuse across Northern Ireland.
The Department of Justice has produced easy read guidance about the legal responsibilities of a juror. This may be a useful additional resource in covering this topic.
This page gives contact details for the Gateway teams in Northern Ireland. If you think a child or young person under the age of 18 is being abused, exploited (including online) or neglected, contact the Gateway team in your local Health and Social Care Trust.