Tyneside teens expose rape threats and misogyny in school and online

A group of teenage girls from Tyneside created a film revealing persistent misogynistic language, including rape threats, they face at school and on the internet.

Teenage girls in Tyneside produced a short film, supported by This Life Collective, to highlight the constant misogynistic harassment they encounter in classrooms and on social media, including explicit rape threats and a ranking "rape list" created by boys. One student said the experience made her feel worthless and constantly on edge, forcing her to avoid groups of young men and take longer routes home. Catherine Marchant, CEO of Impact Family Services, warned that such toxic language can desensitise young people to real abuse and cited cases of under-age sexual violence.

The Department for Education, backed by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, pledged £16 million for targeted school interventions and a revamped Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum beginning in September. Specialists like Sue Davison and researcher Alex Blower called for broader conversations that offer positive role models for boys rather than condemning masculinity outright. The filmmakers hope their work will encourage schools nationwide to confront and change these harmful norms.