Respectful relationships
Some communities have lower rates of violence against women than others. These communities are likely to:
- support equality between men and women
- accept gender diversity
- support non-violent problem solving
La Trobe is committed to being this type of community.
Student stories
"What man thinks violence against women is OK? No-one I know … but it happens. As a male student I want to be part of preventing it..."Read more stories.. or Tell us your story.
Support respectful relationships
Most people are committed to respect within their intimate relationships. Living Well @ La Trobe runs the ‘This Place Nurtures Good Relationships’ program providing free training and support to the leaders of student groups so they have the information and resources to promote this respect within their communities.
What people say
"It gave us the chance to think about what sort of club we wanted to be … and what we needed to do to make sure our members were happy and safe.." ..."Read more stories.. or Tell us your story.
Resources
Video 1 - What we are committed to
Violence against women
Too Prevalent
Female Australian tertiary students experience unacceptable levels of sexual & physical violence.
In the 2005 ABS personal safety survey 12% of Australian women aged 18–24 years (the age of most University students) experienced at least one incident of violence in the previous 12 months, compared to 6.5% of women aged 35–44 years and 1.7% of women aged 55 years and over.
It has an impact
For women under 45 violence against them is the largest single factor impacting on their health. It has a greater impact on them than cancer, smoking, alcohol or road trauma.
During 2010 and 2011 the NUS ran the online Talk About It survey. 1549 survey responses from women were collected. (NUS Talk About it Survey 2011).
- 67% had had an unwanted sexual experience
- 17% had experienced rape
- 67% had been pushed, shoved, slapped or had their hair pulled
- 67% of those who had experienced physical or sexual violence said that it had affected their mental health
- 68% of those who had experienced physical or sexual violence said they did not report the incident because they didn’t think it was serious enough to do so.
What people say
"I remember looking around at the female leaders in the program and just thinking I can’t allow it. violence is not something..."Read more stories.. or Tell us your story.
Resources
How does ‘what happens in your relationship’ compare to ‘what you are committed to’?
Who does it?
73% of ‘Talk About It’ respondents who had been sexually assaulted said this had been by a man that they knew.
Student stories
"He was telling me how he was going to get her really drunk so she couldn’t say no. What I couldn’t believe was that he thought I would think it was OK. I thought this is not “some psychotic guy from CSI ‘targeting’ blondes”. It’s a man I know, planning to assault a women I know...’’ Read more stories.. or Tell us your story.
Resources
Download a brochure which look at some of the ways people try and get themselves and others off the hook after tricking, trapping or bullying someone in an intimate relationship. View Alibi and lies (PDF 289KB).
Be part of preventing violence against women
At La Trobe we are public about our support for preventing violence against women.
Student stories
"As a student leader sometimes I see this male gung-ho sort of attitude that you can pretty much go and do what you want and your mates aren’t going to pull you up because they don’t want to make a scene. Well I’m a grown up. I’m going to speak up. I can help prevent violence against women..." Read more stories.. or Tell us your story.
Resources
Video 3 – What La Trobe’s male leaders do to prevent violence against women
‘This Place Nurtures Good Relationships’
Since 2008 the Counselling service has been asking participants in the 'This Place Nurtures Good Relationships' program to what extent they agree or disagree with a series of statements about rape and other violence against women. Very few of them accept any excuse for violence against women. Despite this men who assault women often believe that their community understands or even supports their actions. Turning a blind eye when they are trying to get a woman drunk enough to be compliant, or even embarrassed laughter when they make a sexist joke are seen as covert agreement. Speaking up about these type of situations has been shown to prevent rape and assault.
Learn how to be an effective advocate for respectful relationships free training and support
View a list of groups who have been part of this training.
TPNGR training
To get TPNGR training for you or your club please email us at livingwell@latrobe.edu.au.More information
View our resource library to download copies of posters, bookmarks, drinks coasters and brochures.
