Exploring Respectful Relationships ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø in practice
Primary prevention strategies aim to prevent problems before they appear. They target risk factors and social conditions through education and legislation.
The department is working with a range of schools to create illustrations of Respectful Relationships ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø (RRE) practice. There are a range of key indicators of RRE practice in schools.
The indicators of evidence-informed, effective RRE practice aligned to School Excellence Framework (SEF) themes. They include observable behaviours of key personnel driving RRE implementation in schools.
Schools are key in promoting gender equality, non-violence, respect and inclusion because they:
- can be universally accessed
- are fundamental in the social, emotional and cognitive development of children and young people
- provide safe and supportive environments for peer support, which is critical
- promote spaces for having open discussions to equip students to support each other
- connect to broader communities, allowing school learning to be shared with society.
Building respectful and equal relationships in schools and the wider community helps create a culture of:
- gender equality
- non-violence
- respect
- inclusion.
Impacts and benefits of RRE
The short-term impacts of effective whole-school RRE include:
- challenging attitudes supportive of violence
- promoting respectful behaviour
- opposing gender stereotypes
- stronger institutional commitment to gender equality.
The long-term benefits of RRE include:
- reduced gender-based bullying and harassment
- more gender-equitable school cultures
- the removal of violence-supportive norms.
RRE in schools can lead to:
- improved student classroom behaviour, and student–student and teacher–student relationships
- modelling of positive attitudes and behaviours
- increased student knowledge and confidence in discussing
- domestic violence
- gender equality
- respectful relationships
- more positive student attitudes towards gender equality and respectful relationships
- improved student skills to recognise discrimination and challenge gender stereotypes
- enhanced teacher understanding of the need for effective RRE
- development of staff gender equality and respectful relationships policies and procedures.