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A group of teenage girls from Tyneside have bravely spoken out about the severe misogyny they face both at school and online, describing its impact as making them feel “worthless” and “frightened.” These girls created a film highlighting some of the offensive language and behaviours they encounter, though many of the remarks are too explicit to share publicly. Of particular concern was the revelation of a “rape list” compiled by boys at one of their schools, where girls were ranked according to who was most and least desired for assault—an experience one girl said left her deeply disturbed and unsettled.
The issue of misogyny in schools is not isolated to this area alone; the North East of England holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest rate of violence against women and girls in the country. Charities and experts warn that when such harmful attitudes are left unchecked, they can lay the groundwork for abusive relationships that begin at an early age. Misogyny, understood as hatred or prejudice against women, often manifests subtly in daily interactions, sometimes dismissed as mere “banter,” though it can carry serious threats of violence. This normalization of violent and degrading attitudes towards women worries many working with young people, as it blurs the line between acceptable and abusive behaviours.
Catherine Marchant, CEO of Impact Family Services in South Tyneside, highlighted the dangers of these attitudes becoming ingrained in young people, stating that many young women today recognize abuse from their first relationships because they see such behaviour modelled online and in their social environments. She sees this as a cycle that must be broken by education from an early age, as too often neither boys nor girls are told what healthy boundaries look like. Her organisation has witnessed cases of very young girls experiencing assault, underscoring the urgent need for better awareness and intervention.
Additionally, Sue Davison, director of This Life Collective and a former specialist teacher, pointed out that the rise of toxic masculinity, especially influenced by certain social media figures, has pushed many boys toward more aggressive and harmful ways of expressing themselves. While most boys do not engage in violent behaviour beyond harsh language, there remains a concerning minority who might escalate beyond that. Davison supports the idea of the film being shown widely in schools to foster understanding and prompt changes in attitudes. The group behind the film hopes that by sharing their experiences, they can spark important conversations around misogyny and help create safer environments for all young people.
Researcher Dr Alex Blower, who founded the UK-wide initiative Boys’ Impact, commended the girls for their courage. He emphasized the need for parallel narratives that guide boys toward positive models of masculinity and relationships, something that has historically lagged behind the messages aimed at empowering girls and young women. According to Blower, instead of supportive guidance, boys are often left with a void filled by harmful online influences defining manhood in damaging ways. He urges educational efforts that encourage boys to envision healthy futures for themselves, rather than assuming negative stereotypes about being male.
The government has responded by committing £16 million to pilot school-based interventions aimed at reducing violence toward women and girls. From September, the updated Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum will include specific teachings to challenge harmful behaviours and promote healthier relationships. A government spokesperson reaffirmed the commitment to tackling this pressing societal problem through decisive action and education in schools
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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