PORT ADELAIDE vice-captain Ollie Wines knows violence against women continues to be an issue in the community and he knows young men like him need to be better at taking the lead to help build respectful relationships. 

It’s one of the reasons Wines takes his role in the Power to End Violence Against Women (PTEVAW) program very seriously. 

Since its commencement in 2016, more than 3000 male students in year 10 have participated in the program, which encourages them to make a stand against violence against women and empowers them to drive change in the community. 

By the end of the year a total of 4590 year 10 students will have taken part. 

“As young men we’ve got a responsibility to be better and take a lead,” Wines said. 

“We know that research shows that most young people have experienced or witnessed some form of domestic abuse by the time they become teenagers and it’s important that they have the information and skills to help them make good choices in their own relationships. 

“I am proud to be involved in a program that is doing so much good in the community and I find it inspiring to see the changing attitudes of the participants.”

The program is conducted at 20 schools each year as part of a partnership between Port Adelaide Football Club, Centacare Catholic Family Services and the South Australian Government. 

PTEVAW is run over two weeks in each school by Port Adelaide Youth Programs Manager Jake Battifuoco, club legend Russell Ebert and players including Wines and captain Travis Boak. 

“The program has allowed us to discuss with young men what contributes to violence against women and the role they can play to address the growing issue,” Battifuoco said. 

“This has allowed them to reflect on their own attitudes and behaviours and promote respectful relationships where everyone is treated equally, feels valued and is safe.” 

Wines was on hand for a visit to Ocean View College this week where he was able to relate to the children by sharing real-life scenarios including developing respectful relationships in a team environment. 

The program aims to get participants to challenge stereotypes and question what a respectful relationship looked like. 

As well as the program, participants are invited to attend an annual Leadership Day which is designed to develop their knowledge, understanding, skills and confidence to be an active bystander when seeing or hearing behaviours that are directly and/or indirectly disrespectful to women. 

110 students across 23 schools have attended the Leadership Program over the past two years. 

Students are also invited to attend an annual event where they are encouraged to bring along a male role model in their life to continue to raise awareness of the issues of violence against women and the role men can play. 

120 students and their male role model have attended the events.

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