We all want the best for our children. As parents and carers, we want them to experience healthy and positive relationships, to respect others, to respect themselves, and to be respected.
Families and schools play a key role in teaching our children and young people about respect and fostering respectful relationships.
Why Respectful Relationships and Consent Education matters
Schools are where children learn to interact with others respectfully. Respectful relationships and consent education (RRCE) helps students understand that no one should be disrespected or abused. RRCE helps develop the skills children and young people need to have respectful relationships as they grow.
From a young age, children start to believe there are reasons and situations that make disrespectful behaviour acceptable. Even seemingly innocent remarks or actions can be misinterpreted as condoning or excusing disrespectful or violent behaviour.
The Australian Government’s Respect campaign aims to help families and communities to build respectful relationships.
The cycle of violence begins with disrespectful behaviour. While not all disrespect towards women leads to violence, all violence against women starts with disrespect.
To better understand the impact of attitudes about gender roles in society, watch the video below from VicHealth.
What is Respectful Relationships and Consent Education?
RRCE focuses on developing the knowledge, skills and understanding students need to interact positively and respectfully in different social situations.
It promotes gender equity and challenges stereotypes to ensure all relationships are based on mutual respect, with the aim to reduce gender-based and family violence.
When teaching RRCE, students learn to:
- Build healthy friendships and relationships
- Communicate well with others
- Keep safe and recognise unsafe situations
- Solve problems without violence
- Respect themselves and others
- Understand and promote respect and gender equality
Find out more:
How Families Can Support
As a parent or caregiver, you play an important role in reinforcing these lessons at home. Be prepared for conversations about respect with your child, whether proactively or in response to an incident.
It’s not always going to be easy, but it’s a conversation worth having.
Resources for Parents
Respect.gov.au has lots of information to help you start the conversation and reinforce respect at home.
Every time you speak out against disrespectful behaviour, we’re one step closer to a more respectful society.