RSHE 2026: Teaching Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control — and How Safe and Sound Supports Schools

At the centre of this requirement is a clear expectation:

“The concepts and laws relating to domestic abuse, including controlling or coercive behaviour, emotional, sexual, economic or physical abuse, and violent or threatening behaviour.”

This marks a significant shift. Schools are not only expected to discuss relationships — they must ensure pupils understand how abuse works, how it escalates, and how to recognise it in real life.

Recognising Coercive Control and Abusive Behaviours

The guidance explicitly identifies controlling and coercive behaviour as core knowledge for pupils.

“The concepts and laws relating to domestic abuse, including controlling or coercive behaviour…”

This means pupils must be able to:

• recognise power and control in relationships
• understand how abuse develops over time
• identify behaviours that may not initially seem harmful

Alongside this, the guidance reinforces the importance of early identification:

“Effective teaching will support prevention of harms by helping young people understand and identify when things are not right.”

Where Safe and Sound fits

Loudmouth’s Safe and Sound programme is designed precisely around these expectations. It “looks at abuse in teenage relationship/domestic abuse, consent and the use of power and control in relationships.”

Through realistic storytelling, it shows how control and coercion can emerge gradually — helping pupils understand not just what abuse is, but how it happens.

Understanding Different Forms of Abuse

The guidance is clear that domestic abuse is not limited to physical violence:

“…emotional, sexual, economic or physical abuse, and violent or threatening behaviour.”

This requires schools to move beyond stereotypes and ensure pupils understand:

• emotional manipulation
• coercion and pressure
• threats and intimidation
• non-physical forms of harm

How Safe and Sound supports this

The programme teaches pupils “how to spot the signs of abuse in relationships, see the impacts and know where to go for support if they are affecting by the issues.”

By exploring the impact and progression of abuse, it helps pupils recognise behaviours that might otherwise be minimised or misunderstood.

Building knowledge, judgement and decision-making

The guidance emphasises that pupils must be equipped to make informed choices:

“Children and young people need knowledge and skills… to make informed and ethical decisions about their… relationships.”

This includes:

• understanding consent
• recognising unhealthy dynamics
• knowing when and how to seek help

From Knowledge to Confidence

Safe and Sound translates this into measurable outcomes:

“90% of students stated that they felt ‘Confident’ or ‘Very Confident’ about spotting signs of power and control in relationships.”

“After the session 97% could name 3 places to go to for help and support around teenage partner abuse.”

And pupils themselves report increased confidence:

“As a result of seeing the Safe and Sound programme, I feel more confident in recognising abusive and unsafe relationships.”

Prevention through understanding real-life relationships

The guidance’s focus on prevention is clear:

“Effective teaching will support prevention of harm…”

But prevention depends on pupils being able to recognise how relationships change over time.

Why Safe and Sound is effective

The programme brings this to life through performance and discussion, helping pupils see:

“a physical presentation of how a relationship can gradually turn into an abusive relationship.”

This makes abstract concepts like coercion and control tangible and relatable — a key requirement for effective RSHE delivery.

Conclusion

The 2026 RSHE guidance sets a clear expectation: pupils must understand domestic abuse, coercive control and the full range of abusive behaviours within relationships.

“The concepts and laws relating to domestic abuse, including controlling or coercive behaviour…”

And crucially:

“Effective teaching will support prevention of harms by helping young people understand and identify when things are not right.”

Loudmouth’s Safe and Sound programme provides a proven, engaging way for schools to meet these requirements — helping young people recognise abuse early, understand its impact, and take action to stay safe.

To find out more email enquiry@loudmouth.co.uk or call 0121 446 4880.