Australian schools will get more than $77m in funding to roll out age appropriate and expert-developed respectful relationships education in schools across the country.
The funding, announced by the Federal Government, will support the delivery of age-appropriate consent and respectful relationships education programs, partnerships between schools and expert organisations, engagement with families, and access to professional development for teachers.
Reports show that one in five women and one in 16 men in Australia have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15 – a statistic that Federal Education Minister Jason Clare calls “a national shame”.
“A range of approaches are needed, and there is a role to play in the classroom to make sure that young people develop healthy relationships,” Clare said, adding the States, territories and non-government school sector will decide how to invest the funding in order to best meet local needs.
First year funding is being provided from June-August 2024, with each jurisdiction receiving over the next five years:
Implementation of the respectful relationships education activities will be guided by the National Respectful Relationships Education Expert Working Group.
“This investment is important in making sure we help our youngest Australians, in particular young boys and men, to have healthy, respectful relationships,” Clare said.