A Statement of Intent, signed by all three education sectors last week (26 March), is to be the first step towards driving cultural change around sexual violence at school.
Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell said Government, Catholic and Independent schools had signed the Statement to strengthen the understanding of consent and harm prevention in the school community.
“The testimonies of so many young people have created momentum on a whole-of-society issue that requires a coordinated response across Government and the community,” Ms Mitchell said.
“While this is a whole-of-society challenge, the Statement signed by the three education heads acknowledges the key role schools and teachers, in partnership with parents and parent organisations, will play in supporting change for people of school age and in the broader community,” she said.
“Through this Statement of Intent all education systems make a commitment to the young women who have spoken out with such strength: that we will do whatever is in our power as leaders and educators to make sure their sisters, or their daughters, and their friends, and future generations do not have to give similar testimony.”
Ms Mitchell said the Statement identified key areas where the education system and schools could lead meaningful change through curriculum provision based on evidence and best practice; increased support for teachers and school leaders; ensuring the views of students were heard; and strengthening community and parent connections.
She said consultation had occurred with the NSW Youth Advisory Council and her own Minister’s Student Council, as students were the most important stakeholders in the conversation.
She also called on parents to support the work by talking to their children about respect and consent.
“These aren’t necessarily easy conversations around the dinner table and as parents we don’t always know if we have the language right,” Ms Mitchell said.
She said the Department of Education would review and revise the resources offered to both teachers and parents to help support student’s understanding of consent.
