Statement of Intent: Our Shared Commitment

The role of schools in strengthening children and young people’s understanding of consent, and preventing and responding to sexual assault and sexual violence among young people.

A Statement of Intent was signed on Friday, 26 March 2021 by the Government, Catholic and Independent Schools to strengthen school-aged children and young people’s ability to form healthy relationships, and develop their understanding of consent and harm prevention. The Statement acknowledges the key role of school staff, in partnership with families, in supporting positive change in these areas.

The Statement identifies key focus areas that will be developed in consultation with Catholic Schools NSW, families, community organisations, government agencies and the children and young people. These focus areas include:

• A curriculum that is robust and based on best-practice principles
• Supporting teachers and school leaders
• Working as equal partners with parents and carers
• Authentic student voice

As a system of Catholic schools, we recognise our duties and responsibilities as educators and the growing concerns in the community in this area. We believe that each person is made in the image and likeness of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, religion or ethnicity.

In the coming months, we will be working with our schools to review current teaching units that include age-appropriate relationships, consent and harm protection education. The current resources and programs that are implemented by schools to supplement the curriculum in collaboration with student groups, will also be reviewed.