Braybrook Secondary School was one of the first to be involved in Relationships Australia Victoria’s (RAV) respect and connect program, promoting respectful relationships.
The recently re-launched program, formerly known as ‘I like, like you’, has reached over 12,000 Victorian students in years 5-9 throughout the past decade.
It equips students with essential skills across the areas of mental wellbeing, gender equality and healthy relationships.
Delivered on-site to individual school classes by experienced facilitators, the program’s interactive format fosters the development of self-awareness, empathy, and conflict resolution skills in a safe and supportive environment.
Program co-ordinator Eva Kaufman said the renaming of the program underpins its core message of fostering respect in all relationships.
“Healthy relationships start with respect – for ourselves, others and our communities, and our program is a testament to the power of education in shaping a safer, more respectful future,” she said.
“These skills are known protective factors, and our program consistently demonstrates improvements in communication, conflict resolution, and understanding healthy relationships, which underpin safe and respectful relationships.”
Braybrook Secondary School year 8 student, Jasmine, who participated in the program, said that “If many Victorian kids did respect and connect, then society would be a better place.”
A RAV spokesperson said,“This type of universal primary prevention approach is an important component of ending gender-based violence, as evidence shows that teaching young people healthy relationship skills, and strengthening their social and emotional skills, is one of the best ways to support safe relationships, improve health and wellbeing, and reduce the prevalence of family violence”.
