Students help change the story
Through a culture of respect and equality, students at Trafalgar High School are helping to change the story of family violence.
Marching alongside family violence victims is just one of the ways students have felt empowered to ensure their generation contribute to a change in attitudes to gender equality and respect.
Year 12 students and school captains Ruby Bates, Liam Luke and Harry McCabe want to see current high rates of family violence reduced. They hope the skills they have learned through the school’s Respectful Relationships program will give them the confidence to support friends, peers and future colleagues in standing up against family violence.
THS youth worker David “Wombat” Lyons said the school identified the importance of young people being part of changing the story of family violence.
He said the culture of change had to begin with young people, the language they used, their actions in the classroom and school yard, their respect for each other and importantly creating a culture of equality.
Wombat said the program empowered students to support each other but also gave families confidence.
“Schools are trusted places for a lot of families so they need to know they can reach out for help,” he said.
Respectful Relationships education became a core component of Victoria’s education system six years ago as a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
The Royal Commission identified the critical role that schools and early childhood education have in creating a culture of respect.
The Respectful Relationships curriculum aims to create a culture of respect and equality across school communities from classrooms to sporting fields and social events.
Trafalgar High School was the first school in Gippsland to roll out the program in 2016.
Wombat said the program focused on teaching students to respect, value and treat everyone equally.
“Our leadership team felt it was really important. Unfortunately Gippsland has high family violence numbers and our school community covers both Baw Baw and Latrobe areas where the statistics are high.
“We decided as a school, we can help to change that,” he said.
The core focus of the program is gender equality and respect. Wombat said this was achieved through positive education that taught students to understand their feelings, emotions and how to express themselves.
He said the program provided students with skills to interact with each other, identify potential problems and how to support someone in need.
Students are given the opportunity to explore emotions such as anger and frustration, and develop non-violent problem solving strategies.
Wombat said the program offered a strong message that family violence was not something that needed to be hidden and support was available. He said students were learning how to support their friends.
“We teach it from a support your friend perspective first and then that often gives some students confidence ro report their own experiences,” he said.
Senior students participated in Melbourne’s march against family violence where they heard
from victims and counsellors and marched alongside community members calling for an end to family violence.
Ruby said it was empowering to be involved in such a big community effort and community message.
“The march makes you realise how lucky you are. The victims came out and marched with a smile on their faces so they could help progress the movement and create change.
She said the Respectful Relationships program had made students aware of the different forms of family violence - physical, mental and verbal.
“It’s really important we learn to recognise and find solutions. It’s knowing what to say and how to say it,” she said.
Liam said the program had helped students to understand the importance of being considerate of others and keeping perspective.
He said students learned about their emotions and managing their emotions and actions.
“The program teaches us if you’re upset or angry, how you can control those emotions. You might need to walk away and come back later to solve the problem,” he said.
Harry said the Respectful Relationships program had given students an awareness of family violence while also making students more aware of how they can support victims or call out disrespectful behaviour.
He said the program began in the junior years with a focus on bullying and how to support friends.
“The message is simple, don’t stand for it and definitely don’t do it yourself...stand up for what’s right. It’s knowing right from wrong.
“If I see something that’s not right I try to offer support straight away. If it’s happening and it shouldn’t be happening then you should stand up,” he said.
Wombat is confident programs like Respectful Relationships is helping to change the story, to give victims confidence and give young people the skills to stand up and support each other.
“It is all about rights, responsibilities and respectful relationships. It’s about understanding your rights and the concept of respect.
“The awareness work is paying off, more people are reporting family violence.
“There are more kids speaking up and there are more families talking to us about their experiences because they know they can trust us. For many students and families, schools are their safe place,” he said.
Do the students believe the Respectful Relationships program helps young people to lead the way and create change?
“It’s definitely possible,” Ruby said. “It might take cultural change but with the right education we can create that change.”
For 24 hour counselling and support contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732; Safe Steps on 1800 015 188.
For assistance contact Gippsland Family Violence Alliance 1800 015188.