Young people will soon be empowered with the knowledge, understanding and skills to help prevent domestic violence under important new changes to the school syllabus.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Pru Goward and Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli announced the changes on Friday.
The mandatory NSW 7 to 10 Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) syllabus will be updated to explicitly include domestic violence prevention from the start of the first school Term in 2016.
It's an important part of the NSW Government’s whole of government plan to preventdomestic and family violence.
“I have heard first hand that young people want to learn how to recognise and respond to abuse in relationships that may occur in their homes,” Ms Goward said.
“Through this update to the syllabus, schools can provide a significant platform for helping young people to identify, report and protect themselves and others from abuse.”
Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli said that age appropriate education for young people on how to keep themselves and others safe is a core feature of the mandatory K-6 and 7-10 PDHPE syllabuses.
“From Kindergarten, students learn about respectful relationships, safe and unsafe feelings and how to seek help when needed,” Mr Piccoli said.
“Strengthening the syllabus to include specific reference to domestic violence supports existing opportunities for students to learn about positive relationships and leading safe and healthy lives.”
