As this year’s 16 Days of Activism to end gender-based violence continues, Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth is calling on more schools to make use of Pol-Ed, a suite of educational resources covering a wide range of important topics.
Thanks to continued funding from the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, the programme is available free of charge and already adopted by 81% of schools from across the force area, reflecting a growing demand for more preventative education.
Pol-Ed provides teachers with a powerful tool to address behaviours, pressures, and risks that can contribute to violence against women and girls, with lessons covering the law, consent, red flags in relationships, online safety, sexism, and more.
The programme equips students from primary and secondary school education with the knowledge, skills and confidence to make informed, positive choices in their everyday lives.
It encourages open and honest discussions, helps break down barriers, challenges misconceptions, and supports practitioners in identifying those at risk earlier, ensuring support is available when it’s needed most.
More than 417,530 students across the region have now taken part in this innovative educational programme. Developed by West Yorkshire Police in partnership with teachers, Pol-Ed helps young people better understand the law, build healthy relationships, and stay safe from harm.
The initiative complements the wider awareness work delivered by the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit and Northumbria Police Education Teams, ensuring young people not only recognise the risks associated with gender-based violence, but also feel empowered to seek help when they need it.
Calling on more schools to use the Pol-Ed resources to help prevent violence against women and girls, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “We all want our children to grow up feeling safe, supported and confident in making the right choices, and Pol-Ed is one of the tools helping us achieve that.
“We’ve already had fantastic take-up with 81% of schools in our region using the resources, but I want to make sure that all children are able to access this learning. That’s why I’m asking more schools to adopt this approach.
“What’s important here is that it’s not just about delivering the lessons and assemblies. It’s about having those open and honest conversations early on, providing opportunities to identify those at risk, and ensuring young people feel heard and supported.”
“When I set out my police and crime plan earlier this year, residents, local services and partners said they want to see more done to reduce violence against women and girls. That’s exactly why I made it a key priority.
“Preventative approaches, such as educating young people, are essential to achieving that goal, and through the work of the Violence Reduction Unit, Northumbria Police, and our partners, we continue to prioritise early intervention, support for survivors, action against perpetrators, and strengthening the systems that keep people safe.”
She added: “And while we continue to support the 16 days of activism campaign, our commitment to ending abuse must continue all year round. Together we will continue to drive meaningful, lasting change, and build safer stronger communities for everyone.”
Sergeant Simon Reid, Problem Solving and Early Intervention at Northumbria Police, said: “We’re delighted that such a wide-range of important resources are available free to schools through Pol-Ed and would encourage educators who haven’t yet taken a look to do so.
“Education is vital so that our young people make informed decisions, helping them to ultimately lead better lives.
“By providing an educational resource such as Pol-Ed we are also helping to fight crime by preventing people being harmed, which is something that reduces the demand placed on our public services.
“Tackling gender-based violence is not an issue we as police can do alone and we believe that this programme helps us to address the factors that contribute to these types of crimes.
“Although more than 80 per cent of schools have adopted the programme, we want as many as possible to do so in order for Pol-Ed to have the greatest impact it can across our Force area.
“We would also encourage those already signed up to embed the lessons as part of their ongoing PSHE curriculum.”
If your school is interested in signing up to deliver Pol-ed resources, or would like more information, please contact Northumbria Police: school.liaison@northumbria.police.uk
