Respectful Relationships - teaching in schools and in the home

As a parent of children in Catholic schools no doubt you will have heard alot in the news this year about respectful relationships, particularly the very important topic of consent. 

The Victorian government has now made it compulsory for all Government schools to teach consent as part of the Respectful Relationships curriculum. While it is not compulsory for all Catholic schools to use the Respectful Relationships curriculum specifically, all Catholic schools do teach respectful relationships as an integral part of the mission of Catholic education.  

There are various programs that are taught in Catholic schools and many are using the Respectful Relationships curriculum.

As parents it's also your responsibility to be discussing with your children, how to have respectful relationships with others, what signs to be aware of when they don't feel safe and what to do or who to turn to if they recognise or experience disrespectful behaviour.

When it comes to consent, it's important to discuss this with children from a young age in an age appropriate way and normalise conversations about their personal safety so they are not fearful, but equipped with skills to protect and manage themselves with others. 

Therefore, it's important that schools and parents work together to have a shared language and understanding about how to have these important conversations with their children. Families need to feel supported to impart their values with their children about sexuality and consent, however support is also needed for parents to understand current information about consent and how to raise this with their children.

A recent webinar run by VicSRC addressed some of these issues from a student, parent and teacher perspective. Guests included secondary school students from each sector, a Family Planning Victoria sex education specialist and Wellbeing Manager from Department of Education and Training.

Students were asked;

1. Who should be involved in teaching consent?

Parents have an important role to talk with their children about consent and to normalise the conversation with their children. Teachers too have an important role to be able to provide access to a support network for students in a safe environment outside the home to be able to share their views and see different perspectives.

2. What language should be used?

Students were not sure what sort of language could be discussed that is appropriate in the classroom or at home when talking about sexuality, sexual health etc. 

For teachers and parents, it was advised by Family Planning Victoria not to talk in metaphors or euphamisms, be clear about what you're talking about - name body parts as they are and be upfront about the topic being discussed - however, once again being respectful in use of language and age appropriate content.

Being in tune with children in what slang words they use and then sharing the actual words that are actually more respectful than slang words and are normal parts of the body. As adults we need to normalise and model the language as normal rather than to be fearful or see it as shameful to discuss with children.

Modelling human interactions and relationships helps children to understand how to be respectful towards others and to make good choices for themselves.

The webinar explored student perspective on relationships with others and what support they need to make informed choices for themselves. 

It also explored some of the issues for teachers to introduce various topics in the curriculum and how to overcome challenges to support students.

3. What information should be shared with parents?

The more information the better so that we share the same language that is in the curriculum, that the children are learning and navigating, and so students feel supported both at home and at school.

The following webinar is centred around consent and sex education.

Click on the link below to watch the full webinar:

Click on the links below provided by VicSRC for further resources and information.

Information sessions are available through Family Planning Victoria for parents prior to the school implementing the curriculum. Speak with your school principal about how they are teaching respectful relationships and how you can be engaged in this learning to support your child.

ARCSHS Resources

The Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University has a suite of resources to read and download on various topics.

Department of Education and Training links:

Each of us are on a learning journey when it comes to navigating relationships.
Don't expect to be an expert at teaching your children about relationships, however it's important you share information you know so they are informed and able to stay safe, feel confident and empowered to develop positive relationships with others and with themselves.