Respectful relationships pilot for a violence free future

Ten Queensland state primary schools are piloting a respectful relationships program dealing with issues such as family violence, respect for women and girls, compassion and gender equality. 

The Palaszczuk Government is partnering with Our Watch and the Luke Batty Foundation to deliver the 18-month pilot program in support of its measures to stamp-out bullying and domestic violence. 

“We committed to supporting programs like this in our state schools in response to the Not Now, Not Ever taskforce and we will continue to raise our efforts to rid our community of domestic and family violence,” said Education Minister Grace Grace. 

Minister Grace officially launched the Creating a violence free future: Respectful Relationships Education in Primary Schools program at Eagleby South State School today (21 February 2018). 

“Eagleby South is one of the state schools to opt into this ground-breaking program,” the Minister said. 

“The other eight are Kingston, Russell Island, Capalaba, Coomera Rivers, Pimpama, Woodhill, Peak Crossing, Flagstone and Springwood Central. 

“All have begun to engage students, school staff and the wider school community in a discussion about respectful relationships. 

“The Palaszczuk Government is proud to support this flagship pilot to raise awareness of domestic and family violence, support respectful relationships and gender equality. 

“It is important that our youngest Queenslanders learn that violence is never acceptable and that all people deserve to be treated with respect and compassion. 

Ms Grace said during the program students in Years 1 and 2 would receive 10 hours of respectful relationships curriculum instruction while school leaders and staff would be provided with professional development. 

“The pilot schools will promote gender equality and respectful relationships and will involve parents to reinforce the key messages around respect and equality,” she said. 

“Our Watch has contracted Deakin University to evaluate the pilot program, which is also being delivered in a number of primary schools in Victoria.” 

The Minister said it was great to see corporate support for the program.

“The Myer Foundation had provided $1.2 million to Our Watch and the Luke Batty Foundation to deliver the program,” she said. 

Eagleby South State School Principal Andrew Barnes said the school staff were very interested in the prevention of domestic and family violence in the school community. 

“We already have respectful relationships programs in place, but this pilot is different in that it addresses attitudes towards women and girls. 

“I am looking forward to our 160 Year 1 and Year 2 students being involved as well as seeing some sustained change in attitudes around gender equality.” 

For more information on Our Watch: https://www.ourwatch.org.au/ 

For more information on the Luke Batty Foundation: https://lukebattyfoundation.org.au/                    

Media enquiries: Adrian Taylor 0448 994 172