Relationship Things Community Resources

Since 2005, the YWCA of Canberra has had an increased focus on primary violence prevention work in response to our strategic direction communities that are safe and connected.

Our primary prevention work has taken shape with the development of the Relationship Things community resources. These resources have been developed by the YWCA of Canberra and are provided free of charge to the community. This stream of work has been self-funded by the YWCA of Canberra as a contribution to the community.

The Relationship Things community resources have been developed in response to research that found that most sexual assaults happen to young women between the ages of 18 and 24 (Moira Carmody, Preventing Adult Sexual Violence through Education, 2006).

The Relationship Things community resources aim to prevent sexual assault and gender-based violence. Ultimately, this stream of work will better equip young people with the tools to develop and maintain safe and respectful relationships.

We want to play our part in encouraging young people to develop relationships where each person is safe and respected, in response to statistics that show that one in three women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

The Relationship Things community resources are underpinned by two key theories that inform our violence prevention work: a gender analysis which acknowledges that violence against women is caused by gender inequalities, and primary prevention which aims to prevent violence before it occurs.

Primary prevention aims to address the causes of violence against women. Understanding the relationship between gender inequalities and violence against women is essential to preventing violence against women.

Narrow expressions of gender lead to violence against women. A key part of violence prevention work involves challenging young people’s assumptions and beliefs about gender that rely on limiting and inequitable gender expectations and stereotypes.

The Relationship Things community resources challenge gender stereotypes that support the gender inequality that leads to violence against women. They are designed to prevent violence by supporting young people to develop safe, respectful and consensual relationships.

Please note at this time that the Relationship Things community resources is currently unavailable. IIf you would like further information, please contact the YWCA of Canberra on 02 6175 9900.  All that are interested, can still order Relationship Things "Step Up" Wallet cards. 

The Relationship Things community resources are available for distribution.

• Relationship Things booklet
• Relationship Things posters
• Relationship Things "Step Up" wallet card
• Relationship Things Resource Kit
• Relationship Things "Your Body. Your Choice." card 

2011 Relationship Things Order Form (791 KB)

Relationship Things 'Your Body. Your Choice.' Order Form (926 KB)

Twitter