Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk has today visited Kinross Primary School to highlight the delivery of the Respectful Relationships Teaching Support Program in Western Australian schools, during the State Government’s 16 Days in WA campaign to prevent family and domestic violence.
The program is open to all public schools in WA. School leaders and staff are given the tools and knowledge to support students in building future relationships that are non-violent and characterised by equality, mutual respect and trust.
The program is delivered by Starick Services, a local organisation that is recognised in the field of family and domestic violence.
The Respectful Relationships pilot was launched in 2019 and backed by an initial State Government investment of $1 million. To date, 38 schools across the State have participated in the program.
The McGowan Government has committed $1.3 million to now expand this program into 12 additional schools in 2022.
In January, the State Government also committed to expanding respectful relationships education into sport and recreation clubs and organisations.
Early feedback on the program has reported overall improvement in participant knowledge, attitudes and confidence in teaching respectful relationships education.
The program is being independently evaluated.
Further information on the 16 Days in WA to Stop Violence Against Women campaign, including a campaign kit with a list of 16 ways to take action, is available online.
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk:
“The Respectful Relationships program empowers educators to assist their students with identifying respectful behaviours and traits as they go about forming friendships and building relationships.
“The State Government’s 16 Days in WA campaign, which is in its fifth year, encourages Western Australians to challenge disrespectful attitudes and behaviours that can lead to violence.
“Through the Respectful Relationships program, we are teaching WA students about healthy and positive relationships, and creating generational change to break the cycle of violence by stopping violence before it occurs.
“It was great to meet with students and staff members at Kinross Primary School and hear about their positive experiences with the program.”
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
“The Respectful Relationships program supports educators in addressing issues such as violence and abuse and reinforces the role of schools in helping to shape positive, respectful relationships for children and young people.
“Every student deserves the right to feel safe and supported in their classrooms and school grounds.
“This program provides an interactive and evidenced-based resource for educators that encourages positive behaviours and mutual respect.”
