A program run by the Port Adelaide Football Club has been recognised by the Federal Government as a role model in making a positive change in tackling domestic abuse and promoting respectful relationships.
As part of the Respect initiative which is all about preventing disrespect towards women and girls, a video has been made for the Stop it At The Start campaign explaining the impact Port Adelaide is having in that space.
The video highlights the work done in the Power to End Violence Against Women program, run by the club in secondary schools.
The program has engaged with 4600 year 10 and 11 students since it launched in 2016, using past and current players to deliver important messages.
It is delivered in two sessions across two weeks and is run in partnership with Centacare Catholic Family Services and the State Government.
“We’re heavily engaged with the Office for Women in South Australia, with White Ribbon and with Our Watch, so the information we have caught the eye with what we’re doing in this space,” said General Manager of Power Community Limited, Ross Wait.
“It’s believed that we’re the first sporting club in Australia, maybe even the world, that’s doing this kind of engagement with respectful relationships, where we directly take out players out and challenge the status quo.
“It has been a lot of work over the past three years to develop a program which fits within the Keeping Children Safe child protection curriculum, so to have our work highlighted in the spotlight and to be used as a role model for other organisations and sports is fantastic recognition.
“We hope other clubs and sports, even at grassroots levels, will use our model to do their own work in promoting respectful relationships.”
WATCH THE VIDEO
The recognition comes after a new report commended the Power to End Violence Against Women for achieving real change with young men and boys who take part.
A Flinders University study found the program was inspiring high school students to challenge the ideals of masculinity and gender-based attitudes and behaviours, as well as teaching them about respectful relationships.
The study, undertaken by the University’s Australian Centre for Community Services Research, found the program has had a ‘measurable impact around messaging about respectful relationships and positive bystander intervention’.
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