Teaching for non-violent, respectful relationships is important work for all schools. Effective work against violence needs to examine the values and beliefs that support its use, especially in relation to gender.
Schools should be active in reducing gender-based violence for many reasons - to improve learning outcomes; to ensure safety for students and staff; and to fulfil legal obligations. The resource kit No Fear (DEET 1995) makes the following points:
Gender-based violence has major implications for the learning outcomes of all students - male and female. For boys, dominant views of appropriately masculine behaviour are often policed by the use of gender-based violence and harassment. In seeking to avoid such consequences, many boys narrow their subject choices and levels of participation, reduce their cooperation and engagement with schooling, and may endorse or accept the use of violence. Both boys and girls suffer diminished educational experiences and outcomes if violence is not identified and challenged.
All students and teachers have the right to feel, and be, safe at school. Violence, or the threat of it, reduces security for everyone and can lead to anxiety and withdrawal, with some students (and teachers) leaving school altogether. The health and educational consequences may be continuing and severe.
Commonwealth and state legislation makes violence and sexual harassment unlawful. Education Queensland's policies on behaviour management and gender equity promote social justice for all students. To meet their duty of care, schools need to be active in maintaining safety from reasonably foreseeable risks. Programs aimed at addressing gender-based violence can help schools to meet their legal and educational obligations.
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© The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and the Arts) 2002.