Stephen Morgan, Labour’s MP for Portsmouth South, has welcomed decisive new government action to tackle misogyny and relationship abuse among young people – protecting girls and intervening early to stop harm before it starts.
Backed by a £20 million investment, Labour’s plans will see every secondary school in England strengthen education on healthy relationships and consent. This will be supported by specialist teacher training and early intervention for young people at risk of developing harmful behaviours.
A new national helpline will also be launched to support teenagers worried about abusive behaviour in their relationships, ensuring concerns are addressed early rather than allowed to escalate into serious harm.
For years, the Tories failed to act as misogyny spread online and abuse between teenagers went unchallenged. This Labour government is stepping in sooner – backing teachers, supporting families and confronting toxic ideas head on.
Stephen Morgan, Labour MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“The Conservatives consistently turned a blind eye while online misogyny spread unchecked. This ends today. This Labour government is taking much needed action to protect girls, challenge dangerous attitudes and step in before abuse begins.
“Parents in Portsmouth deserve reassurance that their daughters are safe, which is why I am proud to support the government’s work to tackle Violence against Women and Girls – give young people the tools they need to build healthy, respectful relationships and a future free from abuse.
Labour’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“Every parent should be able to trust that their daughter is safe at school, online and in her relationships. But too often toxic ideas are taking hold early and going unchallenged. This government is stepping in sooner – backing teachers, calling out misogyny, and intervening when warning signs appear – to stop harm before it starts.
“This is about protecting girls and driving forward education and conversation with boys and young men, which is a responsibility we owe to the next generation, and one this government will deliver.”
The measures form just one part of Labour’s wider Violence against Women and Girls Strategy – delivering the toughest crackdown on abuse in British history and putting prevention, not excuses, at the heart of government action.
Since coming to office, Labour has invested £550 million in the Victims Support Fund, introduced Raneem’s Law to place domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms across the first five police forces, and just this week, announced plans to give victims of domestic abuse and child sexual abuse faster, more reliable access to NHS support through a dedicated referral service.
By 2029, every police force will have dedicated rape and sexual offence investigation teams, and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders will be rolled out across England and Wales – including curfews, electronic tagging and exclusion zones for abusers.
Since their initial rollout last year, these orders have already protected more than 1,000 victims, with breaches punishable by up to five years in prison.
