As a domestic violence solicitor, I’ve seen first hand the devastating impact that abuse has on those who are subjected to it. 

The government’s forthcoming strategy on violence against women and girls (VAWG), due to be published next week, rightly focuses on a critical element often overlooked: changing attitudes among boys and young men.

The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has framed the strategy around three central goals:

• Preventing the radicalisation of young men,
• Stopping abusers, and
• Supporting victims

This approach recognises that tackling violence is in education and prevention. It’s better to address the root cause of the issue rather than have to deal with the consequences of not addressing it at all.

Starting Young Matters

Violence and abuse behaviours are not something that suddenly appear in adulthood. Statistics show that nearly 40% of teenagers in relationships experience some form of domestic abuse.

Many young men today are exposed to misogynistic messages online or through influencers who glorify abusive behaviour. To address this, the strategy will focus on:

• Early intervention in schools, homes, and online spaces
• Promoting healthy relationships and
• Challenging harmful stereotypes.

Parents and educators will play a vital role. By equipping the adults who care for children with the knowledge and tools to intervene early, we can help young people recognise unacceptable behaviour before it escalates into abuse. Prevention is essential for breaking the cycle of violence and abusive behaviours.

As the online world continues to expand it is increasingly difficult to police what young people are exposed to and protect them from misinformation or harmful views. Education will need to be focused on supporting children and young adults in spotting misinformation which in itself will be difficult.

Holding Perpetrators Accountable

While prevention is critical, protection and justice for victims has to remain a priority. Too many survivors experience failures in the system, from police inaction to delays in court. Every day, around 200 instances of sexual abuse are recorded by the police, with countless more going unreported.=

Significant numbers of children are also reported annually as victims of sexual abuse. The strategy promises new measures to ensure perpetrators are tracked, held to account, and offered interventions to prevent reoffending.

Supporting Survivors

Effective support for survivors of abuse must be central.

Many survivors endure coercive control, economic abuse, stalking, and intimidation in their own homes.

The strategy aims to improve support, reduce attrition in legal proceedings, and ensure victims feel safe and heard throughout the process.

Why This Strategy Matters

Changing the culture around masculinity and relationships is not easy, but it is essential. By educating young men, holding perpetrators accountable, and empowering survivors, we can begin to reduce the staggering rates of violence and abuse in our society.

But is it enough?

While the strategy’s publication is long overdue and has already been delayed multiple times, releasing it just before Parliament breaks for Christmas risks sending the message that this isn’t a true priority.

Next week’s report must clearly outline how the government plans to:

• Educate young people about abuse
• Support overstretched educators and parents
• Tackle the troubling influence of figures like Andrew Tate

Without a robust plan social media will continue to expose children to harmful messages, undermining efforts to prevent violence before it starts.