Young people will soon be empowered with the knowledge, understanding and skills to help prevent domestic violence under important new changes to the school syllabus, as announced by Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Pru Goward and Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli today.

The mandatory NSW 7-10 Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) syllabus will be updated to explicitly include domestic violence prevention from the start of the first school Term in 2016 and is an important part of the NSW Government’s whole of government plan to prevent domestic and family violence.

“I have heard first hand that young people want to learn how to recognise and respond to abuse in relationships that may occur in their homes,” Ms Goward said.

“Through this update to the syllabus, schools can provide a significant platform for helping young people to identify, report and protect themselves and others from abuse.”

Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli said that age appropriate education for young people on how to keep themselves and others safe is a core feature of the mandatory K-6 and 7-10 PDHPE syllabuses.

“From Kindergarten, students learn about respectful relationships, safe and unsafe feelings and how to seek help when needed,” Mr Piccoli said.

“Strengthening the 7-10 syllabus to include specific reference to domestic violence supports existing opportunities for students to learn about positive relationships and leading safe and healthy lives.”

Following consultation with the Department of Education (DE), Association of Independent Schools NSW (AISNSW), Catholic Education Commission (CEC), Australian Council of Health, Physical Education and Recreation NSW (ACHPER NSW) and the PDHPE Teachers Association, amendments to the 7-10 PDHPE syllabus were approved at the Board of Studies, Teaching and Education Standards (BOSTES) NSW Tuesday 23 June 2015 meeting.