5th January, 2026

Independent evaluation of the Expect Respect programme

This report summarises the findings of an independent evaluation of Expect Respect, which is Women’s Aid’s school-based educational programme for children and young people (ages 4 to 18) and school staff focusing on unhealthy relationships and the gender stereotypes that underpin them. The evaluation includes both quantitative and qualitative elements and was conducted by Dr Annie Bunce (City University of London), Dr Estela Capelas Barbosa (University of Bristol), Dr Anna Dowrick (University of Oxford) and Dr Meredith Hawking (Queen Mary University of London).

Key Findings 

The report shows that the Expect Respect programme is effective in teaching children and young people, as well as staff, about unhealthy relationships and the gender stereotypes that underpin them.

The Expect Respect programme had a positive impact on:

Children and young people’s understanding of gender roles (ages 4 to 14; key stages 1 to 3).
Children and young people understanding of domestic abuse (ages 11 to 18; key stages 3 to 5).
After the training, children and young people aged 11 to 18 were less likely to view controlling behaviour as acceptable.
Children and young people aged 11 to 18 were 2.5 times more likely to say they knew who they could talk to if they were concerned about a relationship after completing the training.
More than 90% of school staff agreed that the training improved their understanding of domestic abuse, and their confidence in responding to domestic abuse-related disclosures.
Over 95% of staff reported that the session met or exceeded their expectations.