Sex consent to be taught in almost all Coffs high schools in 2021
Amid heavy criticism on the lack of consent education in schools nationally, Coffs Coast high schools are ahead of the curve with almost all students on track to receive lessons in 2021.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Almost all high school students on the Coffs Coast will be taught about sexual consent in 2021.
This comes as part of the North Coast Love Bites Expansion Strategy, which aims to have the program run in at least 75 per cent of North Coast schools overall.
The Love Bites program consists of interactive workshops which teach those aged 15-17 about respectful relationships – tackling otherwise taboo topics of violence and consent.
The lack of consent education in schools has become a prominent issue in recent weeks following a petition called Teach Us Consent launched by former Sydney school student Chanel Contos, which has now amassed almost 40,000 signatures.
In response Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge last month said the government would soon introduce new “respectful relationships” material into the national curriculum through a program called Respect Matters.
The Victorian government has also since announced that consent education would be mandatory in the state’s public schools.
The controversy surrounding consent education comes amid social upheaval on a national scale about the treatment of women, most prominently in parliament.
NSW Police Force’s Northern Region Domestic Violence Coordinator Kiah Bowen said the Coffs Coast has proved it’s well ahead of the game with the mass uptake of the Love Bites program in local schools.
She is co-leading the expansion strategy alongside Kristy Swain, Deputy Director of Regional NSW, North Coast.
“In the North Coast we’re excited that we’re heading towards our target of delivering Love Bites into 75 per cent of local schools, and aim for all high schools in Coffs Harbour to run the program in 2021,” Ms Swain said.
“338 North Coast residents have become trained facilitators through strong relationships between all levels of government and the non-government sector.”
The Coffs Coast Committee Against Domestic and Family Violence last month held the Love Bites Charity Ball at C.ex Coffs, a sold out event of 350 people to raise money for the program which was proudly supported by members of the Coffs/Clarence Police District.
The funds raised from the night will now go towards training more Love Bites facilitators, as well as for art supplies for the creative component of the program which sees students’ artwork turned into powerful community campaigns.
A promotional video filmed at Toormina High School has also been launched in the hope it will inspire other schools in NSW to participate in the program.
Grief tears through Coffs after missing woman’s tragic death
“Rest easy in the Dreamtime”: Tributes are flowing from a heartbroken community after a woman reported missing was found dead on the Coffs Coast.
Cops plant dummy parcel, stake out home to bust heroin trafficker
A northern NSW man was busted helping smuggle more than a kilogram of heroin into the region destined for Melbourne, after ABF tipped police off about a dodgy Malaysian package.