Key Points
- Anti-violence advocates are urging governments to invest in efforts to combat gender-based violence in schools.
- Our Watch is calling for the systemic, school-wide implementation of respectful relationships education.
- Educators report the program builds emotional literacy and intelligence, helping students to navigate relationships.
Anti-violence advocates are calling for greater investment in respectful relationships education to address serious gender-based violence in schools.
Our Watch, a leading organisation in the prevention of violence against women, has released a blueprint to prevent gender-based violence through education systems.
Based on more than a decade of research, the blueprint found 40 per cent of 16 to 17-year-olds had experienced sexual harassment in a place of study.
Almost one in four young women aged 18 to 24 had experienced image-based abuse, and girls were twice as likely as boys to feel pressured or blackmailed into sexting.
Our Watch called on federal and state governments to urgently prioritise and fund a “whole-of-school” approach to respectful relationships education instead of one-off programs or a few classroom lessons.
Yarrunga Primary School in Wangaratta, Victoria, implemented respectful relationships education in 2019 and started tracking behavioural issues.
This included swearing, teasing, physical aggression and sexualised or inappropriate comments.
Acting principal Michael Jenkins said: “Over a year with the same set of students, we saw a nearly 50 per cent decrease in these anti-social behaviours — from 114 incidents to 61.”
“I think one of the really powerful things respectful relationships education does is that it builds emotional literacy and emotional intelligence in young people.
“The reality is that we are teaching young people how to be good young people in the world, and respectful relationships education is a key part of that.”
Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly said the blueprint had arrived at a crucial moment for Australian students and teachers facing alarming rates of gendered violence.
“It is deeply concerning that nearly every week there is a new incident in the school environment, whether that be young men sharing deep fake porn of young women they know, or female teachers leaving the industry because they fear for their safety,” she said.
“Young people are increasingly exposed to harmful messaging about sex and relationships and report wanting more information and support.”
Ending violence against women would take a whole of community approach and needed to include young people, Kinnersly said.
“We need to offer young people clear guidance on healthy relationships, consent and the limitations of gender stereotypes.
“It is a big piece of work and it requires the whole-of-school approach that takes long-term commitment, leadership and ongoing funding.”
Readers seeking support can ring Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25). More information is available at beyondblue.org.au and lifeline.org.au.
Anyone seeking information or support relating to sexual abuse can contact Bravehearts on 1800 272 831 or Blue Knot on 1300 657 380.