Respectful relationships education

Respectful relationships education

About this topic

Gender-based violence is a serious and pervasive issue in Australian schools, with discrimination, harassment and bullying impacting both students and staff. This violence is preventable and an evidence-based approach to respectful relationships education (RRE) is part of the solution.   

Evidence tells us that gender inequality drives gender-based violence and that RRE which engages schools as workplaces, education institutions and community hubs, offers the most promising approach to embedding gender equality and addressing the drivers of gender-based violence through education settings, including bullying, harassment and discrimination in schools.

Discover respectful relationships education

Respectful relationships education is the holistic approach to the school-based, primary prevention of gender-based violence.  

It uses the education system as a catalyst for generational and cultural change by engaging schools, as both education institutions and workplaces, to comprehensively address the drivers of gender-based violence and create a future free from violence. 

Go to the full Toolkit

Read the RRE blueprint

See the evidence for respectful relationships education

Thumbnail for Respectful relationships education: Change the story

A whole-of-school approach

Just like other major social and health issues, such as smoking and drink driving, gender-based violence can be prevented by working across the whole population in many ways. 

Respectful relationships education is about changing the attitudes, behaviours, norms, structures and practices that create the environment in which gender-based violence occurs. 

What's a whole-of-school approach?

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Key resources for respectful relationships education

RRE Toolkit overview

This toolkit supports schools to plan and implement a whole-of-school approach to preventing gender-based violence.

RRE Blueprint full document
  • 3 resources

A comprehensive guide to leading and undertaking respectful relationships education in Australian schools to prevent gender-based violence.

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Understand the evidence behind RRE and preventing gender-based violence in schools as well as the benefits.

The Line
  • 1 resource

The Line campaign aims to help young people have healthy and respectful relationships.

RRE evaluation report horiz

Evaluation reports of respectful relationships education in primary schools and testing the whole-of-school approach.

Free events and training

CtS training
  • Multiple dates

  • Online via Zoom

  • New dates for 2025-26

  • Free

This free, full-day training is for people who are new to the primary prevention of violence against women sector.

CtS training
  • Multiple dates

  • Online via Zoom

  • New dates for 2025-26

  • Free

This 90-minute presentation provides a brief, high-level overview of Change the story.

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