Summary of findings: A social network analysis and implementation study of an intervention designed to advance social and emotional learning and respectful relationships in secondary schools

Abstract

Gender-based violence remains a significant issue within society. In the Australian context, one in four (23%) women and one in fourteen (7.3%) men have experienced violence by an intimate partner since the age of 15 (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2023). Although Australian community attitudes in relation to gender-based violence have shown a slight improvement since 2009, many Australians (41% of respondents) continue to believe domestic violence is equally committed by men and women, rather than recognising that it is overwhelmingly perpetrated by men against women (Coumarelos et al., 2023). This incongruence between the prevalence data and community awareness points to a need for further education about the relationship between gender inequality and gender-based violence. Prevention education is central to this effort. Education settings can play a key role in the prevention of gender-based violence as they can be universally accessed, are pivotal in the social, emotional and cognitive development of children and young people, and are connected to broader communities. Recognising the potential contribution that schools can make, this research project examined the delivery of the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships program to Year 7 and Year 9 students in six Victorian secondary schools. This education intervention is a research-informed comprehensive social and emotional learning and respectful relationships program, published by the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET) and authored by academics from the University of Melbourne. The learning objectives within the program are consistent with the guidance provided in the Victorian and Australian Curriculum.