Join Us for RespectED: Navigating Respectful Relationships
Thursday 29 May 2025
6pm sharp to 7pm
Senior Centre, Level 1
We are excited to invite you to a very special 2025 Parent Forum, RespectED: Navigating Respectful Relationships, sponsored by the P&F. This highly anticipated event will take place on Thursday 29 May 2025, from 6pm sharp to 7pm on the first floor of the Senior Centre, with doors opening at 5.30pm for refreshments.
This forum addresses one of the most pressing and important issues facing families today: building and fostering respectful relationships.
The need for empowering parents and young people with knowledge and strategies has never been more urgent. It is sickening to watch the news and hear about the continual and devastating impact of relationship violence in our country, affecting 1 in 6 women (physical and/or sexual violence) and 1 in 4 women (emotional abuse) in Australia by a current or previous partner since the age of 15 (AIHW, 2021–22). Recent cases involving young women caused parents to seek our partnership in providing parent education about early warning signs of unhealthy relationships to allow them to keep their daughter safe.
You may have watched Netflix’s recent series ‘Adolescence’, which has struck a chord with audiences around the world. Its portrayal of the teenage experience is both poignant and provocative, inviting viewers to grapple with the complexities of growing up and navigating relationships in a rapidly changing society. Just two days ago there was a Sydney Morning Herald article about a new online game that entered the market called ‘No Mercy’. The game is described as ‘a choice-driven, adult visual novel with a huge focus on blackmail and male domination,’ Cybersecurity experts and activists took to media to express their disgust at No Mercy, a game which promotes sexual assault and misogynistic views on its platform. Cybersecurity expert Susan McLean who addressed our community last term said the game is just one example of an internet culture of misogyny that targets young boys. She states ‘This game is abhorrent. The platform should hang its head in shame for even offering it, let alone what goes through the mind of someone who creates this.’ Fortunately this game was quickly banned in Australia but is still available to young people in other countries around the world. But the message is a wakeup call to all of us. McLean believes many parents have a ‘not my child’ attitude, which can blind them to the violent and extreme content their children are seeing online…. While this rhetoric has stirred controversy, it has also catalysed important conversations about the challenges of adolescence and the implications for parenting this generation. As McLean rightly said ‘One good thing about Netflix’s Adolescence is it has caused some parents to step up and look at what their sons are doing’.
Raising girls in the current climate comes with unique challenges and opportunities. As society evolves, so too must the ways we guide and nurture the next generation. One of the most profound and transformative actions we can take as caregivers and educators is initiating conversations about respectful relationships, both platonic and romantic, from an early age. These conversations are not just about preparing girls for the realities of relationships, they are about equipping them with the tools to build lives grounded in respect, empathy, and self-worth.
We have assembled an extraordinary panel of experts for you
We are honoured to present a panel of speakers who bring unparalleled expertise and insights. The forum will be hosted by Melissa Boyd, Deputy Principal who will guide a fast-paced, thought-provoking discussion designed to engage and inform.
Panellists:
Katrina Marson has been researching the protective power of sex-ed to prevent sexual violence and safeguard sexual wellbeing for a decade. She has been a criminal lawyer since 2013, primarily in the area of family violence and sexual offences. On secondment for two years, Katrina led the implementation of the Child Sexual Abuse Royal Commission’s criminal justice recommendations in the ACT before returning to the ACT DPP as a senior prosecutor in the Sexual Offences Unit. She undertook a Churchill Fellowship in 2019 researching the implementation of relationships and sexuality education overseas; her findings were published in the report Ignorance is not Innocence. She has been appointed to the federal government’s National Respectful Relationships Education Expert Working Group. Katrina is currently taking a break from criminal practice while she completes her PhD in sex-education. She is a columnist for The Age/The Sydney Morning Herald, she delivered a TEDx Talk on why consent education isn’t enough in late 2022, shortly after publishing her first book, Legitimate Sexpectations: the power of sex-ed.
Yasmin London is a powerhouse speaker, global online safety advocate, and advisor, as well as the founder and CEO of The Digital Fluency Group – an online safety consultancy dedicated to ensuring technology empowers rather than limits people’s lives. A force to be reckoned with in empowering and building the capacity of humans in the online world, Yasmin equips people with the skills and knowledge necessary to ensure that technology enhances their lives rather than detracts from them. Her unique no-nonsense practicality is a hallmark of her approach.
With a remarkable background as a former world champion athlete and tenured police officer, Yasmin has seamlessly transitioned from elite sports to entrepreneurship and global brand advisory and leadership. Her diverse background and unique depth of experience in online safety enable her to drive positive impact at scale in her current role. Through Qoria, Yasmin has had the incredible opportunity to impact an astounding 23 million young people worldwide, guiding them on their digital journeys and empowering them to take control of their online lives. Yasmin’s 13 years of experience serving on the frontlines of the NSW Police Force, coupled with her background in technology and television presenting, uniquely position her to deliver powerful and innovative education experiences on Digital Resilience. Along with schools, and government, Yasmin has worked with renowned corporations such as Microsoft, Dell, Johnson & Johnson, SXSW, Lendlease, EY, Macquarie Group, Telstra, Citibank, and TikTok, providing them with expert guidance and key insights into digital safety and wellbeing.
David Kobler, Director of Your Choicez is an extraordinary speaker with an ability to engage young people from all walks of life. David’s ample experience working with teenagers on both small and wide scales, as well as his Bachelor of Theology, enables him to deliver powerful, meaningful seminars that truly speak to the hearts of teenagers across the country. David is passionate about educating teenagers in a way that will equip them to truly thrive throughout their adolescence and make positive, healthy decisions for both now and in the future.
Cass De Nardis is the Head of Programs at Elephant Ed – one of Australia’s leading providers in respectful relationships and consent education in schools and universities. Her role involves oversight of the training and development initiatives and driving organisational strategy to maximise impact. Cass has worked in primary prevention and social impact her entire career, working with thousands of young people across Australian schools. Prior to her work at Elephant Ed, she worked in suicide prevention and intervention supporting young people and reducing stigma. With a specific focus on early education for young people, she is passionate about driving social change, and equipping communities with skills and language to make safe, informed and respectful decisions
In addition, the panel will be supported by:
- Andrew Taylor, Deputy Head of Senior School – Wellbeing, who will share insights from our School’s strategies and programs.
- Raji Behi, MLC School parent, advocate and P&F member, who will provide a perspective on why this issue is so critical.
The benefits of discussing respectful relationships early extend far beyond childhood. Girls who grow up with a clear understanding of respect are more likely to form healthy connections throughout their lives. They are better equipped to navigate conflict, make informed choices, and advocate for their needs and the needs of others. Additionally, these conversations contribute to broader societal change. When girls become women who value and demand respect, they challenge systems of inequality and injustice. They inspire others to follow suit, creating a ripple effect that transforms communities.
Our panel of experts will address critical topics such as:
- Signs of healthy respectful relationships and early warning signs of unhealthy relationships or abuse.
- The importance of having open and honest conversations with young people about sex, consent, and relationships to help them make informed decisions. Why do some young people avoid talking to their parents?
- The role of parents, educators, and the community in supporting young people and providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate these complex topics.
- The influence of peer culture and societal norms on young people’s behaviour and attitudes towards sex and consent.
- The challenges faced by young people in understanding and asserting their boundaries, and the need for education that empowers them to do so.
- The influence of technology on sexual behaviour, including the impact of pornography on young people’s understanding of sex and consent.
- How to seek support if needed and how to exit a relationship safely
- Tips for parents/resources
RespectED is not just a forum; it’s an opportunity for MLC School parents and staff to connect, learn, and build a support network. Together, we can be ‘a village’ for our girls, empowering them to make safe, healthy choices that will shape their futures.
All MLC School parents are welcome, whether you are raising girls or boys, we are confident that you will find this forum compelling, relevant and practical. Please make this very special event a priority and Reserve your seat here. Your participation will make a lasting impact on your family and our community, it would be great to see us all working in partnership to make sure our girls have a bright, safe future.
We look forward to seeing you there.
– Melissa Boyd
Deputy Principal
– Andrew Taylor
Deputy Head of Senior School – Wellbeing