Northumberland charity works with schools to tackle online misogyny influence

The charity says demand for its prevention work in schools and youth settings continues to rise, with more teachers and parents seeking support to help children and young people recognise the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships.

Since April 2025, NDAS has supported over 4,000 children and young people across 41 schools and three colleges in Northumberland.

Through education, specialist counselling, one-to-one interventions and consultations, the programme has also strengthened practice by training more than 60 professionals working with young people.

The work helps children and young people build healthy, safe relationships by increasing awareness, confidence and positive decision-making in emotional and personal relationships.

NDAS also provides targeted group sessions for young people aged nine and over, including those who are vulnerable or at risk, offering a safe space to talk, practical self-safety tools and strategies to build confidence and self-worth.

The charity also works with teachers and professionals, providing domestic abuse awareness training, helping schools create referral pathways and supporting safeguarding procedures.

Sharon Brown, Chief Executive Officer of NDAS, said: “Children and young people are growing up in a world where they are increasingly exposed to harmful messages online about relationships and power.

“Influencers linked to the manosphere can normalise controlling behaviour, misogyny and abuse. Recent television coverage, including Louis Theroux’s documentary, has highlighted just how easily young people can encounter this kind of content.

"We need to give children and young people the confidence to recognise the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships, to understand that controlling behaviour is never acceptable and to know where to get help.”

Recent research from the Youth Endowment Fund highlights the scale of the issue.

Among 13–17-year-olds, 39% reported experiencing at least one form of emotionally or physically abusive behaviour from a partner in the past year, while 29% admitted they had displayed such behaviours themselves.

Sharon added: “We are seeing growing demand from schools for this work, because teachers and parents are increasingly worried about the pressures and messages young people are facing.

“Domestic abuse and controlling behaviour can happen in teenage relationships. Too often, young people do not recognise these behaviours as abuse, or they may think jealousy, control and possessiveness are signs that somebody cares.”