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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-10-26 Daily Xml
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EXPECT RESPECT PROGRAM

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:02): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minster for Status of Women a question about the Expect Respect program.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: The Rann government has illustrated its commitment to ensuring the safety of women through the Women's Safety Strategy and the Family Safety Framework as examples. But we also know that social attitudes can influence the ways communities view violence. Will the minister provide more information about how the government is seeking to change negative attitudes young South Australians may have about acceptable relationship and sexual behaviours?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (15:03): I thank the honourable member for her question. As members would no doubt be aware, the government has been offering community grants as part of our anti-violence campaign. I am very happy to be able to inform members that the state government is expanding a drama-based education program designed to improve awareness about sexual assault and respectful relationships for teenagers.

The highly successful program Expect Respect, developed by the Legal Services Commission, has already been delivered to 1,200 students from a variety of different backgrounds across the state. Recently, I was able to provide an additional $25,000 grant to the Legal Services Commission to expand the program to Aboriginal youth by developing a particular version of the production which is culturally appropriate for Aboriginal teenagers.

The legal education program features an interactive show by young people showing real-life scenarios and presenting a range of legal facts. I was very impressed with the particular performance that I was privileged enough to see, and I know that the Hon. Stephen Wade also attended a performance and I understand that he was impressed as well with that performance.

The performances use a method called 'talk-back theatre'. This means that young people present in the audience can become actively involved with the drama by trying to change the outcome of particular scenarios. This seems to be a great way of giving young people the confidence that they need to help them speak up, have their say and practise what they would do if they actually found themselves in that situation in real life. It also opens up a dialogue between students about issues like sexual assault and relationships, and helps to make them aware of the current legislative framework.

These sessions give young people important information about rape, sexual assault and family violence, with a focus on issues and situations that those aged between 15 and 18 can easily identify with. 'Sexting' and date rape are some of the topics included. Many young people do not understand what constitutes rape and sexual assault or how to avoid being caught up in risky situations, and Expect Respect aims to help young people avoid becoming victims or offenders. I believe that it will help to reduce violence in our community and change attitudes to what is and is not acceptable behaviour.

A new booklet, Sex, Consent and the Law, has also been produced by the Legal Services Commission for young people as part of the program. As members would be aware, the government's community education grants are part of the broader Don't Cross the Line campaign, which is a four-year, $868,000 campaign that complements legislative changes made to reduce violence and abuse in the community. The campaign also attracted an additional $100,000 of federal government funding to enable culturally appropriate education to be delivered to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in South Australia.

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