Respect Ed

YWCA Canberra is committed to creating a world where women and their children are safe from violence, and where a culture of gender equality and fairness exists to protect the rights of all people. Research demonstrates that an integral part of reducing violence against women and children is primary prevention.

YWCA Canberra has a suite of primary violence prevention resources. Captured under the umbrella of Respect Ed, these resources include:

• Teaching Respect Ed: A two-day training course for educators to be up-skilled in the delivery of primary prevention programs. This comprehensive course includes the theoretical framework for effective primary prevention, program planning for specific school environments, and training in the delivery of YWCA Canberra’s respectful relationships programs. This program has been accredited for 8 hours of professional learning through the ACT Teacher Quality Institute.

• Respect, Communicate, Choose (RCC):An award-winning, evidence based respectful relationships program that is aligned with best practice for primary prevention programs and has been designed to align with the National Curriculum. The program is targeted at young people aged 9-12, and is delivered over eight weeks, with one session per week. The program covers topics including respect, communication, diversity, gender equality and how to be an active bystander. At the end of the program, participants are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to engage with and recognise respectful relationships.RCC has been delivered to 900 students in Canberra and Adelaide, and has been externally evaluated by the University of Queensland.

• Relationship Things: Relationship Things builds on RCC, and is a respectful relationships program aimed at young people aged 14-18. Also aligned with best practice for primary prevention, Relationship Things is delivered over eight weeks, with one session per week, and covers topics including respect, relationships, communication, diversity, gender equality, respect in an online environment, safe sex and consent.Relationship Things was updated in 2014, and includes a comprehensive training program for teachers and facilitators.

• Relationship Things Online: Relationship Things Online is an online respectful relationships resource for young people aged 14-18, that explores topics around respect, communication, gender equality, diversity, safe sex and consent. Launched in August 2015, the resource uses interactive activities to get users thinking about their own values and identity, and how to engage in respectful relationships.