Breaking down stereotypes and striving for gender equity.

Respectful Relationships Education is the holistic approach to school-based, primary prevention of gender-based violence.   It uses the education system as a catalyst for generational and cultural change by engaging schools, as both educational institutions and workplaces, to comprehensively address the drivers of gender-based violence and create a future free from such violence.  (Our Watch Victoria, Respectful Relationships Education in Schools: Evidence Paper, December 2015)

Respectful Relationships is one of the most exciting and transforming government initiatives, and is part of the new Victorian Curriculum. The Department of Education and Training (DET) has some very detailed and useful new teaching and learning resources ready for use. Findings from the Respectful Relationships Education in School pilot program (Our Watch 2016) tells us that teachers need support, guidance and professional learning specific to Respectful Relationships in order to comfortably and skillfully deliver this tricky content within a whole school approach.  Kristy offers Respectful Relationships professional learning for teachers, school leadership and other school staff. All training is tailored to meet the needs of your specific educational setting –primary, secondary, specialist and alternative. Topics covered include:

• DET’s Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships teaching and learning materials and how that content fits in with the new Victorian Curriculum.
• Addressing teachers fears and concerns around Respectful Relationships.
• Unpack the core elements of a whole school approach to Respectful Relationships where staff can look at school environment, policies and procedures that can further support a whole school approach Respectful Relationships.
• Developing a ‘gender lens’ to assist staff in working towards a gender equitable workplace and school environment.
• Up-skill staff to support and coach their colleagues in Respectful Relationships.
• Demonstration of and opportunity to practice some of the DET approved resources - primary, secondary and modified for specialist and alternative settings.
• Explain the support systems needed for teachers and school staff delivering the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships and Building Respectful Relationships teaching and learning materials.
• Examples of what to expect from students as they participate in the Respectful Relationships units of work. Guidance on handling student and staff disclosures of gender based violence.
• Advice on how to assess and report on this topic in line with the new Victorian Curriculum.
• Support schools to set up referral pathways and form partnerships with local organisations to further support students and families in their communities.