The mother of Calne teenager Ellie Gould has met with the Education Secretary as part of a campaign to extend relationship education in schools to the age of 18.
Carole Gould travelled to Westminster this week alongside campaigners calling for changes to how young people are taught about healthy relationships and controlling behaviour.
Ellie, 17, was murdered at her home in Calne in May 2019. Her death had a profound impact on the local community.
In March 2021, Ms Gould successfully fought to change a law on sentencing for teenage killers - dubbed Ellie's Law - so they could be given longer sentences. Those found guilty of murder below the age of 18 were previously given more lenient sentences than adult defendants.
Ms Gould is now supporting calls to expand the current statutory Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum, which is compulsory up to the age of 16.
During the meeting, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is understood to have expressed her personal commitment to exploring possible changes, although no timeframe for reform has been confirmed.
Ms Gould has spoken previously about the importance of helping young people to better recognise the warning signs of unhealthy or controlling behaviour in relationships.
The campaign, backed by the “Make It Mandatory” campaign group, is calling for clearer and extended teaching around issues such as manipulation, emotional abuse and coercive control.
Supporters say many teenagers experience their first serious relationships after the age of 16, leaving a gap in education at a key stage in their lives.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 16 to 19-year-olds experience some of the highest rates of domestic abuse in the UK.
The campaign is calling on the government to extend relationship education to the age of 18, with supporters arguing that better awareness of controlling and abusive behaviour could help protect young people.
Ms Gould has previously spoken about the importance of helping young people recognise the warning signs of unhealthy relationships.
In the photo Left to Right Carole Gould, Make it Mandatory and EVAW
Credit : Make it Mandatory Campaign
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