The Federal Government has announced funding to support the delivery of evidenced-based, age‑appropriate and expert-developed respectful relationships education in schools across the country.
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The Government will provide $77.6 million to states and territories and the non‑government school sector to deliver the education programs in schools across Australia. Funding will support the delivery of age-appropriate consent and respectful relationships education programs, partnerships between schools and expert organisations, engagement with families, and access to professional development for teachers.
States and territories and the non-government school sector will decide how to invest this funding in order to best meet local needs. Implementation of the respectful relationships education activities will be guided by the National Respectful Relationships Education Expert Working Group.
The program promotes healthy interactions between boys and girls and is a key measure in the First Action Plan that underpins the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032 in addition to a $3.4 billion investment in women’s safety over three Budgets.
Minister for Education Jason Clare said: “One in five women and one in 16 men in Australia have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.
“Sexual violence is a national shame.
“A range of approaches are needed, and there is a role to play in the classroom to make sure that young people develop healthy relationships.
“This investment is important in making sure we help our youngest Australians, in particular young boys and men, to have healthy, respectful relationships.”
The funding comes amidst a climate of increased toxic masculinity, misogyny and disrespect toward female teachers and students in Australian classrooms, fueled by ‘manfluencers’ like Andrew Tate.
Research from Monash University suggested a disturbing pattern of sustained sexual harassment, sexism and misogyny perpetrated by boys, signaling a shift in gender dynamics within school environments. The research paper, authored by Dr Stephanie Wescott and Professor Steven Roberts from the Faulty of Education at Monash University explores the influence of Tate and its impact of boys’ behaviour towards female teachers and peers.
“Our research found that male supremacy in classrooms was rampant amongst Australian schools. Our participants detailed overt displays of authority and dominance by boys towards women teachers, reflecting a resurgence of traditional patriarchal norms,” Lead Author Dr Stephanie Wescott said.
“The findings also outline a troubling increase in sexual harassment and misogynistic behavior against women teachers and girls in schools, with Andrew Tate’s influence shaping and reinforcing regressive views on masculinity,” Dr Wescott said.
“Women teachers are engaging in combative interactions that challenge and undermine their gender and their stance on Andrew Tate. Alarmingly, some teachers we spoke to are reporting that schools are no longer a safe place for women teachers.”
Respectful relationships education complements the Government’s national consent campaign, launched in May, which helps adults be informed and understand consent so that they feel comfortable and confident having conversations with young people.
It also complements the latest phase of the Stop It At The Start campaign, designed to combat misogynistic attitudes and influences online.
