Through PDHPE students learn about rights and responsibilities in relationships and how to develop and maintain respectful relationships. Students learn to recognise and respond to abuse and violence and develop help-seeking skills and strategies to access support for themselves and others.

In primary school, students learn about the roles and responsibilities in positive relationships and the effects of actions such as bullying and violence on the disruption of relationships. Students learn to form and maintain relationships through developing skills in communication, conflict resolution and strategies for coping with changes in relationships.

In secondary schools, there is a significant focus on teaching about gender issues and developing in students a commitment to, and skills for, challenging the abuse of power. This is central to the development of students’ attitudes and behaviours that are based on equity, respect and responsibility.

The Child Protection Education curriculum materials address three main themes. These themes are integrated within each unit of work.

Recognising abuse

Protective skills cannot be used unless children recognise situations of potential abuse or when abuse is occurring. It is important that students develop knowledge and skills, appropriate to their age and stage, about what constitutes abuse.

Power in relationships

When discussing power in relationships, particular attention is given to building confidence in relationships which are positive and caring. Skills in establishing and maintaining positive relationships, including accepted cultural practices related to caring touch, are reinforced.

Protective strategies

With knowledge about positive relationships and about child abuse, children can take appropriate actions if they are in threatening situations. When learning about protective strategies, students are given the opportunity to analyse situations, to identify feelings, and to explore alternative courses of action and their consequences.