Petition Mandatory domestic, family and sexual violence education for year 10-12 students

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that domestic, family and sexual violence education should be mandatory for all students in years 10 to 12 across Victorian secondary schools. Many young people are not taught how to recognise domestic, family and sexual violence in real life contexts while they are in school. As a result, many do not identify abuse in their own lives or the lives of others until adulthood, delaying help-seeking, support and healing. Existing school programs do not explicitly or consistently equip students with the knowledge to understand coercion, abuse or how to respond safely. If a young person cannot name what is happening to them, they cannot recognise it, report it or seek help. This gap leaves young people vulnerable, increases the risk of harm and contributes to ongoing cycles of violence and victim-blaming.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to make domestic, family and sexual violence education mandatory for years 10 to 12 students, in consultation with What Were You Wearing Australia, and include in the curriculum domestic and family violence (coercive control and abuse), sexual violence beyond consent (pressure, coercion, peer abuse), practical guidance (seeking help, supporting friends, reporting to police, forensic exams, counselling) and language to recognise abuse.