New Toolkit for School to Counter Domestic Violence

Mr Mark Coure said teachers and students will be given the means to recognise and act on domestic violence with a new ‘toolkit’ for the mandatory Year 7 to 10 Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) syllabus from Term 1 in 2016.

Mr Coure said domestic violence is a whole of community issue and it is critical that the St George community work together to prevent it.

“Teachers and schools play an important role in our community. They have the knowledge and experience to equip young people with the understanding and skills to help change attitudes and behaviours around domestic violence,” Mr Coure said.

The new resource, the Prevention of Domestic Violence Toolkit, includes:

• signs and symptoms of abuse

• support available

• sample activities including worksheets and suggested videos which explore a range of issues including abuse, exclusion, discrimination, domestic violence, relationship violence and the impact of gender assumptions

• frequently asked questions

Mr Coure said the strengthened syllabus was another critical tool in fighting the scourge of domestic violence.

“By educating and working with our young people we can ensure they are empowered with knowledge of what domestic violence is and how they can identify possible ways to protect themselves and others,” Mr Coure said.

The toolkit was development by the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES) with specialist advice from Domestic Violence NSW and other agencies.

Visit the BOSTES website to download the toolkit: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_sc/domestic-violence-prevention.html