Why schools must tackle Harmful Sexual Behaviour head-on – and why the time to act is now

The recent release of the Netflix series Adolescence has ignited a critical conversation across the UK about the toxic and dangerous pressures facing young people today. Co-created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, the show’s unflinching portrayal of the modern adolescent experience serves as both a triumph of storytelling and a sobering wake-up call for all of us working with young people.

The series follows the tragic story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who becomes involved in the murder of his classmate Katie Leonard, with the narrative delving into themes of social media influence, toxic masculinity, and radicalisation through the 'manosphere'. It exposes the dark corners of the internet where harmful ideologies are cultivated and absorbed by impressionable minds, often with catastrophic results.

The truth is, the issues raised by Adolescence are not confined to fictional storytelling. Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB), online grooming, and the normalisation of coercion and misogyny are very real problems affecting young people across the UK. As the series rightly suggests, we cannot afford to ignore these issues. The need for schools to play a proactive role in tackling HSB has never been more pressing.

The importance of addressing Harmful Sexual Behaviour in schools

Harmful sexual behaviour encompasses a wide spectrum of actions ranging from inappropriate jokes and comments to online harassment, image-based abuse, and physical assault. According to research by the NSPCC, around one in ten children aged 11-17 have experienced sexual abuse, much of which occurs in peer-to-peer contexts. Even more worryingly, Ofsted’s 2021 review into sexual abuse in schools and colleges found that these experiences have become so commonplace that many young people see no point in reporting them.

Schools are on the frontline of this crisis, yet many lack the resources, confidence, or training to address harmful sexual behaviour effectively. It is not enough to simply encourage young people to speak up; we must actively equip them with the knowledge, skills, and resilience to recognise, challenge, and prevent harmful behaviours when they occur.

At Diverse Voices, we have been working for years to provide schools with the practical tools needed to combat harmful sexual behaviour. Our KS3/KS4 ‘Tackling Harmful Sexual Behaviour’ PSHE programme offers a comprehensive, ready-to-go solution for secondary schools across the UK. Delivered in a blended-learning format, the programme combines expertly designed short films with interactive lessons that can be delivered by teachers following our high-quality training and support.

What ‘Adolescence’ gets right – and what needs to happen next

The creators of Adolescence deserve enormous credit for using their platform to shine a light on these crucial issues. The series’ depiction of how social media, peer pressure, and online radicalisation can shape young people’s actions is a powerful reminder of the need for comprehensive education that addresses these influences head-on.

Co-creator Jack Thorne has already called for a ban on smartphones for under-16s, sparking debate across educational and political circles. While restricting phone access is one possible solution, it is unlikely to be a silver bullet. The reality is that young people will continue to encounter harmful messages, whether online or through peer networks. The question is, how prepared are they to critically analyse and respond to those messages?

This is where education must step in. Schools have the opportunity – and the responsibility – to build resilience in young people by equipping them with the skills to navigate complex social and digital landscapes. It is about more than just teaching children to say ‘no’; it is about fostering an environment where healthy relationships, consent, respect, and empathy are the foundations of all interactions.

A ready-to-go solution for schools

Our ‘Tackling Harmful Sexual Behaviour’ PSHE programme is designed specifically to address these challenges. Built around a carefully crafted short film and five interactive lessons, the programme is aligned with the PSHE RSE curriculum and adheres to government guidelines. It covers topics such as healthy relationships, online behaviour, consent, and the law in an engaging, age-appropriate manner.

Delivered through a blended-learning format, the programme ensures accessibility for all schools, providing the training and resources necessary for teachers to deliver the lessons with confidence. What’s more, the programme’s interactive approach actively involves young people in discussions, allowing them to reflect on their own values and behaviours in a safe, supportive environment.

Turning awareness into action

The fact that Adolescence has captured the nation’s attention provides a powerful opportunity to turn awareness into meaningful change. But to do so, we must commit to providing schools with the resources they need to address harmful sexual behaviour comprehensively and effectively.

At Diverse Voices, we are proud to offer a ready-to-go solution that empowers schools to tackle these issues through education. By combining high-quality training for teachers with engaging, student-focused materials, we aim to ensure that every young person has access to the knowledge and skills they need to build healthy, respectful relationships.

If the UK is truly committed to addressing the pressing issues raised by Adolescence, then we must ensure that programmes like ours are made available to every school. It is only by taking proactive steps to educate, empower, and protect young people that we can begin to break the cycle of harmful sexual behaviour and create a safer, more equitable future for all.

We urge all schools, councils and local boroughs that would like to offer any of our PSHE learning programmes to their students to reach out to us to ensure their students can receive high quality education on these topics. 

We are also eager to hear from grant-making organisations who wish to fund these incredibly important initiatives across the country. Reach out to us at info@diversevoices.co.uk or on our website here.