SUBMISSION Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA): Australian curriculum review
This submission outlines both ANROWS-funded and external research relevant to ACARA’s review of the Foundation–Year 10 Australian curriculum in the Health and Physical Education (HPE) learning area.
The submission utilises insights from the National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS) and resulting deep dives into the 2017 survey results, including Young Australians’ attitudes to violence against women and gender equality (2019). It argues that work is required to ensure that young people better understand all forms of violence against women and are able to tell the difference between healthy relationships and abusive behaviours.
This submission recommended:
- moving education relating to knowledge of, and attitudes towards, violence against women and gender equality to appear earlier in the Foundation–Year 10 curriculum
- the earliest possible age-appropriate inclusion of the following items:
- understanding the nature of gender-based violence, and the beliefs and attitudes that drive this behaviour
- challenging gender stereotypes and social norms that lead to inequalities, disrespect and violence
- changing identities and the factors that influence them (including personal, cultural, gender and sexual identities)
- celebrating and respecting difference and diversity in individuals and communities
- ongoing and regularly updated professional development on digital technologies for educators, along with sufficient time allocated within the timetable for the “Relationships and sexuality” focus area of the HPE learning area.
Suggested citation
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety. (2021). Re: Australian Curriculum Review [Submission]. ANROWS.