An article from Dorothy Gilmour, Hawthorn Rotary
Rotary SAFE Families is excited to create a “win win” for Rotary Clubs and their local schools. “Towards Respectful Relationships” has young people talking to young people about respectful relationships and family violence including promoting healthy non-abusive family relationships.
Rotary Kingscliff’s Ginny Giorgio, Family Law Court Lawyer has given Rotary SAFE Families permission to use their copyright program: Towards Respectful Relationships (TRR) which is running for the fourth year by Rotary Clubs in northern NSW.
We thank Rotary Hawthorn and Rotary North Brighton who have agreed to sponsoring a local school with the assistance of Rotary SAFE Families in applying the 8 week program to the Year 10 students as a challenge to make a short film for an audience of their peers.
With the guidance of a film producer, a school Welfare person, a Domestic Violence Vic Police Officer, Rotary Club and/or Rotary SAFE Families facilitator, the Year 10 students in groups of 4 or 5, (depending on class numbers) follow the comprehensive Manual “Towards Respectful Relationships Teaching Resource”.
Each group of students is responsible for creating discussion, script, actors, film making and editing in preparation of their film to be judged and awarded one of the two prizes available (donated by the sponsor Rotary Club) at their school.
Please note that this program fits nicely into the Year 10 subject, Personal Development Skills or Well Being, taught at Victorian schools or as an elective such as Music. (https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum)
Source: promotional video from Rotary Kingscliff
The project’s multi-benefits include :
- Chance for “kids to talk to kids” to share, discuss what is a respectful relationship and apply their understanding to create a film involving young people, not being told, or limited in their creativity
- Chance to engage with a Victoria Police person to interact and share anecdotal experiences in a trusting relationship
- by addressing trust and family abuse issues to achieve sustainable social change
- by turning disadvantage into productive outcomes
- by discussing, sharing and mentoring to raise the bar
- by volunteering with a purpose for community benefit
- by recognising talent and encouraging young people to grow towards their full potential
- by awarding those who shine to create a lasting contribution
- Rotary Sponsor Club promotion
For more information please contact Dorothy Gilmour at info@rotarysafefamilies.org.au
Quotations taken from the TRR program at Rotary Kingscliff include:
Student: “When we began the project, I thought domestic violence was an unsolvable issue. Now I believe it can be fixed.”
Volunteer Rotary Facilitator: “Being a survivor of domestic violence myself, I really want to honour the students for their bravery in exploring and reimagining the DV narrative in such uniquely creative ways.”
Watch this space for updates on the progress of “Towards Respectful Relationships” at Rotary Hawthorn and North Brighton.