Hounslow Council is set to launch a pilot program aimed at fostering healthy relationships among primary school children as part of its Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Plan 2023-2026. The Speak Up programme will be introduced at Heston Primary School, providing interactive sessions designed to help children develop a clear understanding of what constitutes a healthy relationship.
The initiative was discussed at the Hounslow Community Safety Partnership Board meeting on Thursday, 31 July 2025, where the board reviewed the plan's end-of-year two report and outlined the delivery plan for year three. More information about the meeting can be found on the Open Council Network.
Beyond the Speak Up programme, the VAWG Plan 2023-2026 includes several other initiatives:
- Launching the Harmony Programme, designed for older community members, recognising that abusers can include adult children and grandchildren.
- Delivering a modern-day slavery awareness workshop at an all-male contingency accommodation site.
- Introducing a Safer Communities Co-ordinator for Men and Boys to break the cycle of violence and promote positive male behaviours.
- Delivering targeted training to staff in care homes, contingency hotels, and Transport for London bus drivers.
- Improving children's and young people's understanding of healthy relationships and consent by delivering sessions at the Junior Citizens event and consent workshops in schools.
- Continuing to deliver consent workshops throughout Hounslow schools in partnership with the police.
The VAWG plan addresses key areas, such as improving support for those affected by VAWG, working together to prevent VAWG, and taking action against perpetrators. The Hounslow Community Safety Partnership Board aims to enhance community safety by focusing on priorities such as reducing serious crime and supporting vulnerable individuals, as outlined in the Safer Communities Strategy 2024-2027, and fostering community collaboration. The board also reviewed the year-end reports for the Safer Communities Strategy and the Violence Against Women and Girls Plan, and approved the delivery plans for the upcoming year, agreeing to continue delivering on their statutory duties. The Violence Against Women Girls Plan - End of Year 2 Report provides further details on the progress made.
