“It was just a joke.”
This familiar phrase too often masks deeper harm – sexism, bullying, exclusion – rooted in wider societal norms that can also manifest in schools.
In corridors, classrooms, playgrounds, and group chats, young people witness behaviours that make them uncomfortable, but they don’t always feel empowered to act.
This is where effective RSHE becomes more than a curriculum requirement – it becomes a tool for cultural change.
The Department for Education’s (DfE, 2021) guidance on RSHE emphasises the importance of teaching students about bystander intervention: empowering them to safely step in when they see bullying, harassment, or mistreatment.
In today’s increasingly digital and interconnected world, this is more vital than ever. RSHE that explicitly addresses misogyny, online abuse and harmful gender norms helps students recognise and challenge behaviours such as sexist “banter”, exclusionary language, and digital harassment.
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