The RIV (Reducing Inter-generational Violence) Project is an exciting new initiative aimed at supporting safety for young people and school communities.
To create long term lasting change in the lives of young people in the Hawkesbury LGA
The RIV Project is locally designed and community funded. It is a unique 10-year model with the vision to create lasting long-term change and increased safety for young people, families, schools, and community in the Hawkesbury.
Increase young people’s capacity to form and maintain safe and respectful relationships now and into the future
Decrease physical and sexual violence occurring for participating young people
Decrease domestic and family violence for participating young people and their families and in their future families
Increased capacity for young people, school communities and families to identify concerns and reach out for help
Increased support for young people and families who are currently experiencing violence / safety issues
Increased awareness and trust in available support services
Committing to 10 Years Social Change
Start with a 2-year project that grows over time funding by Community Bank North Richmond & Richmond ($731,505)
In the first 2 years the RIV Project will:
Work with 2 local high schools and 1 primary school
Train 10 – 20 local workers / teachers / counsellors to facilitate Love Bites
Deliver Love Bites 2-day safe relationship program to all students in years 7 and 9 in both schools
Develop and implement a trial Love Bites program for year 6 students
Identify young people and families already at risk / experiencing violence and offer group and individual support
Support teachers and school communities to reduce violence / increase safety
Measure and evaluate outcomes
Use outcomes data to engage corporate / government sponsorship and funding.
Working with Community Bank North Richmond & Richmond to identify and engage other corporate partners.
Applying for relevant Government fund.
Targets by Year 4
Working with 4 high schools and 2 primary schools
Reaching over 2000 young people
Providing additional support to over 330 vulnerable / at risk young people and 220 families
Targets by Year 10
Reaching 8 high schools and 6 primary schools
Increasing engagement by a further 80%
Why
It is well known that the rates of domestic violence are at alarming rates with more than 1 women / child is being killed every week in Australia.
It is less well known the issues faced by young people:
Internationally, it is estimated that 20% of 13-18-year-olds experience physical violence (similar rates between girls and boys) and 10% experience sexual violence (girls are more likely to be victims than boys).
In 2018, a survey of 275 Year 9 and 10 students in Victoria revealed 88% of participants had been a victim of abuse in their most difficult relationship (Daff et al. 2018).
Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (2018): 28.5% Australian teens had experience abuse in their relationships.
Based on the lowest level estimates up to 2,500 young people in Hawkesbury today have or will experience violence in their teen relationships.
What Research Tell’s Us
Hobbs, Carmel. (2022). Young, in love and in danger: Teen domestic violence and abuse in Tasmania. (Research report) tells us that: “Teen domestic violence and abuse is a serious public health issue causing a wide range of detrimental impacts for victim-survivors, perpetrators and society. The devastating impacts of teen domestic violence and abuse include short- and long-term mental, physical and psycho-social harm, involvement with the youth justice system, and an increased likelihood of victimisation and perpetration in adulthood” (Banister & Leadbeater 2007; Barter & Stanley 2016; Chung 2007; Eaton & Stephens 2018; Herrenkohl & Jung 2016; Park et al. 2018).
“Internationally, it is estimated that 20% of 13-18-year-olds experience physical violence (similar rates between girls and boys) and 10% experience sexual violence (girls are more likely to be victims than boys).”
“In 2018, a survey of 275 Year 9 and 10 students in Victoria revealed 88% of participants had been a victim of abuse in their most difficult relationship (Daff et al. 2018).”
Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (2018): 28.5% Australian teens had experience abuse in their relationships.
2021 Census Data: Hawkesbury LGA population: 67,207; 10 – 14 yr olds: 4,458; 15 – 19 yr olds: 4391
The RIV Project is a 10 year Social Change Program Model that has been established through a partnership between The Women’s Cottage and the Community Bank North Richmond & Richmond part of Bendigo Bank.
The RIV Project is aimed at supporting young people, teachers, schools and families to maintain healthy and safe relationships.
The program will offer:
Age appropriate safe relationship group learning through the Love Bites program https://www.napcan.org.au/
Support to teachers and students through school wellness programs
Individual support to young people in consultation with and involving their families
A little more about safe relationship learning:
Programs like Love Bites are used in schools to foster a culture of respect and support within communities. The program caters to different age groups and development stages through fun, creative and interactive activities.
The program offers a safe space for young people to learn about their rights and responsibilities in relationships, healthy boundaries, and how to handle challenges in a respectful way.
The program also covers important topics, including online safety, bullying prevention, and how to maintain and respect boundaries in relationships. As well as how to get support if needed.
The program focuses on teaching respect, communication, and problem-solving skills, helping young people build strong relationships without resorting to violence.
Respectful Relationships education is a key program aimed at preventing family and intimate partner violence by promoting positive, healthy relationships among young people.
Love Bites is based on research and designed to align with the Australian Curriculum. It is delivered by trained RIV workers with additional support available from Teachers and School Liaison Officers.
Information for Schools
The RIV Project is a 10 year Social Change Program Model that has been established through a partnership between The Women’s Cottage and the Community Bank North Richmond & Richmond part of Bendigo Bank.
The RIV Project is aimed at supporting young people, teachers, schools and families to maintain healthy and safe relationships.
The program will offer:
Age appropriate safe relationship group learning through the Love Bites program https://www.napcan.org.au/
Support to teachers and students through school wellness programs
Individual support to young people in consultation with and involving their families
School Partnerships:
All RIV group programs, resources and support services are free of charge.
The RIV Project will work closely will your school to develop a framework of group activities and support services to meet the individual needs of your school community.
The RIV project can be flexible and responsive to different school community needs and can run programs in line with the school’s existing timetable, teacher availability and resources.
Information for Young People
The RIV Project has been set up in the Hawkesbury area to support young people.
You might see RIV workers at your school, classrooms or in the school grounds.
We run learning groups around topics such as:
Healthy Relationships
Personal Boundaries
Love and Break Ups
Social Media Risks
School / Cyber Bullying
Gender, sexuality and diversity
Safety and Your Rights
Where to get help if needed
RIV workers can also support you if you’re not sure about something that worries you.
Ask your teacher if we are coming to your school soon or call us directly on: 0499 206 420 or 0499 330 986.
If you need help but don’t know who to talk to you can call 24/7:
If you need urgent help because your life or someone else’s life is in danger, please call 000 immediately.
Information for Business, Corporate and Other Sponsors
The RIV Project is a 10 year Social Change Program Model that has been established through a partnership between The Women’s Cottage and the Community Bank North Richmond & Richmond part of Bendigo Bank.
The RIV Project is aimed at supporting young people, teachers, schools and families to maintain healthy and safe relationships.
The program will offer:
Age appropriate safe relationship group learning through the Love Bites program https://www.napcan.org.au/
Support to teachers and students through school wellness programs
Individual support to young people in consultation with and involving their families
Over time we will reach every high school in the Hawkesbury region and into primary schools.
The RIV project is extensively evaluated through internal processes and by three external universities.
Business, Corporate and Government sponsors are invited to join this a unique and first of its kind 10 year social change initiative.
Partners
Community Bank North Richmond & Richmond
Funding the first 2 years of the project
Steering / Oversight Group guided by Funding Contract and Project Outcomes
Supporting Project Promotion and Engaging Corporate Support
TheWomen’sCottage
Lead Agency, funding contracts / responsibility, project service delivery and evaluation
Employ, supervise and house 2 x RIV Project workers
ParticipatingSchools
Program timetabling
Support running program and identifying at risk young people / families
Hawkesbury Community Outreach Service
Support school relationship / programs
Support individual work with vulnerable young people
National Association for Prevention of Child abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN)
Love Bites program development and evaluation
University Partners (UWS, Canberra University, Catholic University)
External project evaluation and report on outcomes
