'A threat to the social order': a 'problem frame' analysis of the Safe The National School Climate 2013 Survey found that 74.1% of LGBTIQ students were verbally bullied (e.g., called names, threatened) in the past year because of their sexual orientation and 55.2% because of their gender expression. [133] In January 2017, it was reported that a new Victorian manager is to be appointed. It was formally launched in June 2014 by the (Liberal) Abbott government. Guide to making your school safe and inclusive for LGBTIQ+ students (DOCX, The Ally Network from Bendigo Senior Secondary College. This rhetoric is significant for two reasons. Contact [emailprotected] for more information. [citation needed] In NSW there were originally 120 schools registered, however the education department determined that 89 of those schools had never accessed resources and had no intention to do so in the immediate future. Some of the actions taken by the Turnbull government were not recommended in the review. This includes considering any further resources and supports that may be required. Safe Schools Coalition Australia's Government website described the program as the first "funded by the Australian Government, aimed at creating safe and supportive school environments for same-sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse people by reducing homophobic and transphobic bullying and discrimination in schools". [58] After conservatives described it as promoting homosexuality and recruiting children, the newly elected Howard government cancelled the Here for Life program. Safe Schools Coalition Australia has produced materials funded by the Federal Government and taught in more than 500 government schools across Australia. [citation needed] In September 2016, South Australian students were told not to participate in any class lessons involving Safe Schools Coalition materials without the consent of their parents. In a survey by Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria, 25.9% of gay men and 24.4% of lesbians aged 16 to 24 years reported that they always knew they were same-sex attracted. For example, the Safe Schools Coalition website explains, . By February 2016, 490 . In 2014, SHFPACT led a successful collaboration of ACT health and community services in a bid to provide the Safe Schools Coalition Australia program in Canberra. [34][51] The program is supported by Beyond Blue, headspace and the Australian Secondary Principals Association. This exercise is designed to build empathy and understanding of others. The role of a school is to equip its students to lead healthy and productive lives, to not only achieve academically but also to be happy, healthy and resilient. In response, Deputy Chief Minister, Yvette Berry said Mr Wall should be "ashamed of himself" for bringing the petition forward. Labor leader Bill Shorten labelled the Christensen group "ideologues trying to impose a 1950s view of the world". Download Safe Schools Coalition Australia (SSCA) Programme. Review of Appropriateness and Efficacy of the Safe Schools Coalition Following reports of inappropriate content and material being used in classrooms, in 2016 the Turnbull Government triggered a review of the program. Safe Schools Coalition: what is the Christian Right afraid of? It was born out of the need identified by school communities, parents and teachers for greater support for LGBTIQ+ students, who are at higher risks of bullying and suicide and to ensure that schools create safe and inclusive environments. Safe Schools Coalition co-founder, Roz Ward[44] has compiled the accompanying notes for teachers and parents. It is a social construction and is no way related to ones biological sex. Toggle State and Territory Government positions subsection, George Christensen Speech to the House of Representatives, Turnbull Liberal/National Coalition government, "Review of Appropriateness and Efficacy of the Safe Schools Coalition Australia Program Resources", "Safe Schools Coalition looks to new leader as funds run dry", "Fast Facts About Safe Schools Coalition Australia", "Push in schools to fight 'modern' homophobia", "No backing down on Safe Schools, Education Minister James Merlino tells parents", "Safe Schools: 'rainbow ideology' fuels sex switches", "Safe Schools program downsized after campaign by right-wing MPs and Christian lobby groups", "Safe Schools program is making a difference", "Principal warns against academic impact of bullying", "Catholic principal pressured to withdraw from Safe Schools Coalition", "Salvation Army Supports Safe Schools Initiative", "Salvation Army in retreat on Safe Schools program", "Salvation Army backflips on Safe Schools support", "Salvation Army Announces National Position On Safe Schools", "Safe Schools Program gets Bega Valley council support", "Safe School support rescinded in heated Bega council meeting", "We support the Safe Schools Coalition Australia", Organisation Intersex International Australia, "Safe Schools LGBTI program researchers 'receiving abusive emails' after Christian lobby campaign", "Christian lobby groups claim 'radical sexual experimentation' is being promoted in schools", "Secrecy over Safe Schools in NSW criticised", "Coming out: gay friendly schools form Rainbow Alliance", Department of Education and Training (Australia), "Safe Schools program ordered to stay silent on gay marriage", "MP demands schools offer get-out option on gender bully scheme", "Only one school has quit Safe Schools LGBTI program after parents' objections", Department of Education and Training (Victoria), "Is 'The Gender Fairy' in your school library? Talking about queer relationships is no different to talking about straight ones. [88] Beyondblue provided almost $600,000 to La Trobe University to administer the Safe Schools program. The Safe Schools Coalition Australia guide for a Health and Physical Education resource for years 7 and 8 on the topic of gender and sexual diversity. A key aspect of Safe Schools Coalition is that its model is based on the voluntary membership of schools and is instigated by schools themselves, almost always led by staff or students. At least 1.7% of people are intersex that is: born with physical sex characteristics that dont fit medical norms for female or male bodies. On the issue of bathrooms, it suggested the following: Schools can also consider providing gender-neutral toilet options, which should be accessible to any student who wishes to use them and will help to establish a more inclusive environment for transgender and gender diverse students. [56], However, the program is opposed by some religious groups, particularly the Christian right, with the program said to be "gagged" on same-sex marriage while the Safe Schools Coalition said there had been "no change to media protocols". [55] The petition incorporated wording from a Safe Schools student resource. Mr Berardi, who called for all Commonwealth funding for the program to be scrapped, said the anti-bullying program bullies and intimidates children into giving the answers demanded by the authors, asked children as young as 11 to consider they had no genitals and was an unashamed social engineering project orchestrated by the political Left. Are Victorian school children being taught Safe Schools? Terms of reference for Safe Schools Coalition Australia (SSCA) Programme. On 26 February 2016 the Australian Government announced that there would be an independent review of the current resources provided to schools under the Safe Schools Coalition Australia (SSCA) Programme. The contents of the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments Web site were assembled under contracts from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools to the American Institutes for Research (AIR), Contract Number 91990021A0020. Click to download Keywords Safe Schools Coalition describes itself as: a national coalition of organisations and schools working together to create safe and inclusive school environments for same sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse students, staff and families. [90][91] The chairman of the Confederation of Indian Australian Associations has said, "It should not be given that platform in the school lessons, the majority of Indians feel school is not an appropriate place to bring this subject up. "Trans kids are still doing it tough. On this page: What are Safe Schools? [108][109] There is however a new program called Respectful Relationships[110] which is different to Safe Schools, and was developed in response to recommendations made by the Australian Royal Commission on Family Violence. [69] The Safe Schools Coalition dismissed those claims in their entirety. And I oppose Safe Schools", "Catherine McGregor speaks out against Safe Schools", "Catherine McGregor dropped from LGBT group over anti-Safe School comments", "Catherine McGregors angry response to Kaleidoscope Australia sacking", "Cate McGregor declares herself wrong to oppose Safe Schools", "Encounter made me realise I was wrong to oppose Safe Schools", "Roz Ward suspended from controversial Safe Schools program", "Flag slur underlines concerns: Turnbull", "Safe Schools' Roz Ward to sue La Trobe University unless they drop misconduct investigation", "Jeff Kennett: Safe Schools funding lost if Roz Ward stays", "Safe Schools: Australian Chinese community petition against anti-bullying program lodged in NSW", "Safe Schools program: thousands in NSW sign petition calling for it to be scrapped", "Indians join Chinese concerned about Safe Schools rollout", "National curriculum review: Who is Kevin Donnelly? In October 2016 the federal government said that it would not renew its funding for the program. [150], The ACT government has pledged to fully fund the program in the ACT[3] and is developing a program for "sexually and gender diverse students, staff and families". The LGBTI groups which were pushing it may not have realised this fact, but, for legal reasons alone, schools have to be very careful about the manner in which they discuss sex with students. While some changes have been made since the review's findings were published, it recommended no major changes to the program and found that it was consistent with the national curriculum. [8][9][10], In December 2016, the Victorian Government said it will take responsibility for and "overhaul" the Safe Schools program, with the government cutting its ties with both Ward[131][132] and La Trobe University. The College partnered with the Diversity Project, Uniting Goulburn North East, to provide ongoing, on-campus support to students who identify as LGBTIQ+. The fact that parental oversight was undermines is because the department of education explicitly states it exists for the welfare of the students. It's now a national network convened by the Foundation for Young Australians, and delivered by partner. Teachers could use as many or as few of the materials as they wished, and decisions relating to the suitability of content and material rested with school communities. Family First Senator Bob Day labelled the program anti-parent for its lack of consultation and for exposing ideas that were antithetical to many families values. The Safe Schools Coalition Australia provides resources such as this program as part of The National Safe Schools Framework which deals with the wider causes of bullying. Myth: The Safe Schools program promotes cross-dressing.Fact: The Safe Schools program does not promote cross-dressing. The review found that, "The three resources created by young people, OMG Im Queer,[78] OMG My Friends Queer[79] and Stand Out,[77] are not intended as classroom resources. [39], In February 2017, it was announced that NSW public school teachers were provided with, "a list of resources that should not be used. ', "Kids of 7 learn 'gender diversity' from Safe Schools Coalition", "Cease Safe Schools roll out in Queensland schools", "Safe Schools won't be funded beyond 2017", "Government MP George Christensen Likens LGBT 'Safe Schools' Program To 'Paedophile Grooming', "PM wants probe into LGBTI program over 'indoctrination' fears", "Gay senator asks Liberal colleagues to have empathy for young people in Safe Schools debate", "Abbott told of Safe Schools concerns: MPs", "Choose words carefully on Safe Schools: PM", "Safe Schools - Malcolm Turnbull forced to act on funding for controversial sex-ed program: Daily Telegraph 18 March 2016", "Backbenchers 'want school program inquiry' - 9News", "I am transgender. Those accusations have, in turn, been labelled 'homophobic' by supporters of the Coalition. Since its inception in Victoria in 2010, the Safe Schools program was Australias most controversial anti-bullying campaign. This rhetoric is significant for two reasons. Schools are encouraged to customise the implementation of resources which are provided. They have subsequently added new links to optional resources from The Gayby Project[127] produced by the makers of the Australian documentary film Gayby Baby for students in grade five to year 10. [1][6] The SSCA is managed by The Foundation for Young Australians[7] and funded by various state governments. Its mission is to create safe and inclusive schools for students, families and staff who are in these groups. The Safe Schools Coalition Australia ( SSCA) was a group of organisations in Australia focused on LGBTIQ people in schools. Queer education is not a wild sexual and gender philosophy. These resources do not include props. From time to time, ill-informed and false information is circulated about the Safe Schools program. Safe Schools | Victorian Government 5 Comments. Information for Parents - Diocese of Ballarat - Catholic The Victorian government first established the Safe Schools Coalition Australia in 2010. To start this process, schools can contact the Safe Schools Unit or download: The Government expects schools across Victoria to ensure the safety and inclusion of all students in their care, including LGBTIQ+ students and is providing support through the Department of Education and Training - including through ongoing delivery of the Safe Schools program - to enable them to do so. [104], In August 2017, a rally to protest against the Safe Schools program in Canberra was "effectively drowned out by vocal supporters" of the program.[105]. Review of Appropriateness and Efficacy of the Safe Schools Coalition [134], The Victorian government has pledged to fully fund the program in Victoria,[3] and has established Safe Schools Victoria. [49] In its report, released in November, the committee "recommends the NSW Education Department requires schools under the Controversial Issues in Schools policy to consult with parents prior to any implementation of the Safe Schools program, and require that parents choose whether to opt in to this program". Myth: The Safe Schools program encourages students to question or change their gender or sexuality.Fact: Nothing about the Safe Schools program encourages students to question or change their gender or sexuality. "Young trans people need an ally, and I could have been one." [29], The first community-based LGBTIQ youth groups in the fields of social services were established in the United States in the late 1970s. So what is Safe Schools Coalition? [4], The program operates extensively in Victoria and is fully funded by the state government. There was no national data for lower years. Schools were needing an anti-bullying program to protect everyone not just those who feel that there is a gender other than male and female. Childhood, Schools and the Ideal Citizen: Efforts to Support LGBTQ For example, if students establish a queer-straight alliance, Safe Schools may hold a discussion with, and provide resources to, interested students and staff to assist them. Myth: All government and non-government schools are forced to join the program.Fact: These schools are free to implement the program in a way that best suits their students and community. [147] In April 2017 it was reported that Tasmania will scrap its support for the Safe Schools program, replacing it with a comprehensive anti-bullying scheme. There are similar whole-school initiatives, including for primary schools, in the UK and elsewhere. Watch The Ally Network from Bendigo Senior Secondary College videoExternal Link on Vimeo. What was the Safe Schools Coalition Australia program in the ACT? [65] The process included interviews with a range of individuals and groups associated with the program. Anyone saying the program was indoctrinating innocent children or showcasing wild sexual philosophies is out of touch.. Discussing queer issues is not discussing sex with students and this very conflation is why bigots remain so ignorant. [155], One Northern Territory school has signed up for the program.[13]. [32] Addressing school bullying with practical steps is a worldwide trend. [1], The Safe School Coalition has links to affiliate, third-party organisations[75] and have jointly produced resources. [29] Content was created by a number of experts in the field. [15] St Joseph's College in Melbourne is a Catholic school taking part in the program. CAUSE - Countering Gender Ideologies in schools. Let's not lose sight of the facts in the Safe Schools debate
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