New schools project aims to tackle coercive control before it starts

A pioneering project designed to educate secondary school students about coercive control and healthy relationships has secured funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, enabling it to be rolled out in schools in early 2027.

The Green Flag Project is being developed by The Family Law Company in response to growing concerns about misogyny, coercive control and unhealthy relationship behaviours among young people. 

The project was inspired by an article written for The Times by The Family Law Company's Director Carrie Laws, highlighting the need to educate young people about coercive control before harmful behaviours become established.

Research undertaken during the project's development revealed widespread concern among schools.

Director and Specialist Domestic Abuse Solicitor, Amelia Davey explained: “Every school we have spoken to during the research stage has talked about the worrying issues of misogyny faced by female students and members of staff, as well as incidents of coercive control between older and younger students.

“These behaviours don't suddenly appear in adulthood. If we can help young people recognise the signs of unhealthy relationships early, we have a much greater chance of preventing abuse in the future.”

The need for education has been reinforced by national research. The 2025 Youth Endowment Fund survey found that two in five teenagers in relationships reported experiencing emotional or physical abuse, including controlling behaviour, pressure or violence. Refuge has also reported a concerning increase in domestic abuse affecting young women aged 16 to 25, particularly psychological abuse, coercive control and physical violence.

The Green Flag Project brings together a multi-disciplinary team of family law specialists, domestic abuse experts, psychologists and educators. Alongside Amelia and Carrie are Kerry England from The Family Law Company, educator Emily McGuirk and psychologists Dr Louise Robb and Dr Anna Gough.

The first phase involved a discovery workshop session held at South Molton Community College to explore the most effective way of engaging students, including whether whole-year assemblies or smaller group workshops deliver the greatest impact.

The programme is expected to consist of three sessions covering coercive control, the characteristics of healthy relationships and friendships, and giving young people the confidence to seek help or support others when they recognise concerning behaviour. Resources will include an educational video which is being made as part of the project. This will bring together thoughts and opinions from different parts of the community, to encourage young people to recognise the signs of unhealthy relationships, seek help when they need it and support others. 

Amelia added: “Although coercive control is often associated with male perpetrators, these sessions are designed for everyone. We want young people to understand what respectful, healthy relationships look like in every aspect of their lives.

“Ultimately, coercive control is against the law. By increasing understanding at an earlier age, we hope to give young people the knowledge and confidence to make positive choices and challenge harmful behaviour.”

The Green Flag Project is set to start in the schools in January 2027. Amelia said: “This is just the beginning. If we can demonstrate the impact of the project, we'd love to see it introduced into more schools across Devon and Cornwall. The earlier these conversations happen, the greater the opportunity to create lasting change.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said she was pleased to fund this project as part of her wider Disrupt programme of work to tackle violence against women and girls.

She added: “It is really important that children can recognise when a relationship is healthy, and when it’s not. Young people are being exposed to adult behaviours earlier than ever and giving them the skills to challenge treatment that is making them uncomfortable, or crossing the line into something harmful, is vital in keeping them safe.

“Starting these conversations early will help normalise young people talking to their peers about worrying behaviour and give them the confidence to get help from the right place at the right time to stop escalating issues before they come to harm.”

Disrupt is a programme launched by Commissioner Hernandez in 2025 aimed at reducing the prevalence, severity and normalisation of violence against women and girls. It aims to use new approaches and radical ideas to shift focus from response to prevention, test out new ways to provoke change, and shift narratives about consent and accountability.