The Stand Up Speak Out resources comprise of 39 curriculum-aligned lesson plans, along with practical, contemporary, and age-appropriate teaching tools to support educators to deliver respectful relationships education to students from kindergarten to Year 12.
Respectful Relationships Education supports a whole-of-school approach to promoting positive and healthy relationships among children and young people a key step in preventing violence before it starts.
The program’s aim is to give school staff the skills they need to support students to build relationships that are non-violent, equal, mutually respectful and trusting and includes professional learning for teachers and school staff, along with information, tools and strategies to teach students about respectful relationships and gender equality,
“Education plays a critical role in shaping attitudes, behaviours, and expectations about respect, equality and safety,” Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Jessica Stojkovski, said.
“The new Stand Up Speak Out resources will help young people build the skills they need to stay safe and treat others with respect.
Importantly, the Minister said, they have been developed in partnership with the Catholic and independent school sectors to ensure they meet the needs of diverse school communities.
“This is about primary prevention – giving children and young people the tools they need to understand respect, equality, and healthy relationships.”
Developed by Starick in partnership with Catholic Education Western Australia and the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia, the resources mark an important step forward in expanding respectful relationships education across all school sectors.
Starick is a specialist family and domestic violence service provider that delivers both the Respectful Relationships Teaching Support Program and the Respectful Relationships Sport and Recreation Program.
Since its introduction in 2017, more than 100 primary and secondary public schools across Western Australia have participated in the Respectful Relationships program.
“Teaching young people about respect, consent and healthy relationships is one of the most effective ways to prevent violence before it starts,” Education Minister Sabine Winton said.
“These resources will help support schools to deliver that learning in an age-appropriate and practical ways.”
In 2023, the Cook Labor Government allocated $1.5 million over two years to expand the program to Catholic and independent schools.
