COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR RELATIONSHIPS AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION (RSE) |
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As you jump into our final e-newsletter for the year, we celebrate Trans Awareness Week and remind you that World AIDS Days is on the horizon. We're also exited to tell you all about a relatively new RSE program in Western Australia that is doing great things. As usual, we have lots of information about the latest research, advocacy efforts, resources and events - all focused on evidence-based RSE for young Australians. Our team recently discovered the newly formed Global Partnership Forum on CSE and their hashtag #together4cse. Please consider connecting with this organisation and using this hashtag in your socials, so that the great work that is done in Australian can be shared internationally. ALERT! Stay tuned for more from the Bloom-ED team in coming weeks, we've been pouring over the Australian Curriculum v9 and we're keen to share out thoughts on how well it supports the sexual health and wellbeing of students. |
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Let's celebrate Trans Awareness Week |
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Trans Awareness Week runs November 13-19. Click the image above to learn more. |
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Catching up with... Kate Raston from We are Womxn |
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What/who is 'We are Womxn'? We Are Womxn is a dynamic and impactful health promotion organisation dedicated to empowering and educating young individuals, particularly women, on vital topics often considered taboo. Through evidence-based programs and workshops, We Are Womxn fosters a safe space for discussions around consent, sexual health and overall well-being. The organisation is committed to breaking down societal barriers, promoting positive relationships and nurturing confidence and self-empowerment in young people. How did it began, and how it has evolved? Founded by Kate Raston and Nicolette Beard, We Are Womxn emerged from a passionate commitment to bridge critical gaps in sexual health education. Recognising positive and research-based education as a preventive factor against sexual violence, and fuelled by Kate's personal experience as a victim-survivor of sexual assault, the organisation was created to revolutionise the education young people receive. We Are Womxn has continued to evolve over time, expanding its reach beyond young women to engage with diverse communities. The journey has been one of growth, with the organisation delivering evidence-based, trauma-informed health promotion programs that address not only consent but also broader issues like healthy relationships and social media literacy. With a resolute refusal to let young people navigate these vital aspects alone, We Are Womxn has reached over 11,000 young minds across the state. Yet, stark statistics underscore the urgency of their mission. The organisation acts as a call to action, advocating for the reshaping of education, challenging societal norms and standing against the silent epidemic of violence. Is there a current focus for 'We are Womxn'? At We Are Womxn, our current focus is on expanding our impact by reaching more young individuals and diversifying our programs. Central to our mission is a significant emphasis on consent education, transcending traditional approaches to delve into the nuanced complexities of communication and vulnerability. Beyond this, we are actively growing our parental programs through a subscription service that aligns with our school initiatives, offering monthly learning content. Our aspiration is to amplify voices and advocate for comprehensive consent education, empowering individuals to safeguard their sexual well-being. We are dedicated to staying attuned to the evolving needs of our audience, adapting our programs to foster positive change and empower even more lives. What is the reason for the x in Womxn? The 'x' in Womxn is symbolic of our inclusive approach. It represents a deliberate move away from the traditional spelling to embrace and recognise all individuals, regardless of gender. This choice reflects our commitment to inclusivity and acknowledgment of the diverse identities that intersect with the broader category of womxn. |
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Where is your work based? While we primarily deliver our peer-to-peer programs in Western Australia, encompassing both metropolitan areas and regional locations, our online parent subscription service extends accessibility to anyone connected to the internet. Our work is not confined to a single physical space; rather, it spans diverse settings, including schools, universities and community spaces, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and expansive outreach. We have worked with over 15,500 young people. How can other people get involved in your organisation? Joining the We Are Womxn movement is a straightforward process — your journey begins by expressing your interest! Whether you're driven by a passion for education, advocacy or community outreach, there are diverse ways to engage with us. Keep an eye on our website and social media platforms for the upcoming advertisement of our 2024 volunteer and board positions. For those interested in contributing through funding and sponsorship, we deeply appreciate the support. Feel free to reach out via email at hello@wearewomxn.com.au to explore opportunities to sponsor our programs, communities, and young people, contributing to the impact we're making. Together, let's shape a better future. Is there a highlight from your organisation that you would like to share with us? One of our most significant successes lies in the transformative impact on over 11,000 young individuals across the state. Through dynamic programs and workshops, we've witnessed inspiring moments of empowerment where young people gain confidence, knowledge and essential life skills. These stories of positive change motivate our ongoing commitment to making a meaningful difference. Co-founder Kate Raston’s recognition as a state finalist for the 2024 Young Australian of the Year is a testament to our impactful work. Internationally acknowledged for our success, we've presented at global forums like the 2023 Global Entrepreneurship Congress, contributing to crucial conversations on female and youth inclusivity. Our research project, 'Taking Matters Into Our Own Hands,' has been a platform for driving change and has been presented at prestigious conferences. These accomplishments, along with our extensive engagement and collaborations, underline our commitment to catalysing positive change and shaping a more empowered future. |
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Kate Raston from We are Womxn |
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Advocacy and research opportunities |
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Check out this petition regarding consent laws in Western Australia. | | |
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The Kinsey Institute has always been based at Indiana University, and this is currently under threat. Check out their current petition. | | |
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| | Sexual and reproductive health education in Australia: a qualitative study of health professionals’ views Young people tend to have low levels of sexual health literacy. The aims of this work were to explore health professionals’ perspectives of sexual and reproductive health education in Australia and what they considered should be the core components of school curriculum, particularly for Year 11 and 12 students.. | | |
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| | Fertility knowledge in a cohort of Australia’s adolescents: a cross-sectional study of reproductive and sexual health education. Fertility information is an important component of comprehensive sexuality education, but the extent to which adolescents are taught or informed about fertility is unknown in Australia. | | |
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| | Support for school-based relationships and sexual health education: a national survey of Australian parents. Despite significant evidence worldwide that parents support school-based delivery of relationships and sexuality education, Australian data has generally lacked larger, nationally representative samples. Until now! | | |
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| | Katrina Marson: Why consent education isn't enough As a sexual offences prosecutor, Katrina Marson spent a decade seeing the aftermath of sexual violence cross her desk - case after case after case.Katrina decided to focus on sexual violence prevention, embarking on a global journey to meet some leading experts in this field. | | |
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| | Red Ribbon Appeal 2023: Go Red and Make a Difference This World AIDS Day This World AIDS Day, gather your colleagues, friends or family for a Red Ribbon fundraising event. It could be a morning tea, dinner with friends, a bake sale, trivia or paint the office red! | | |
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| | Ipas 50 For 50 years, Ipas has supported communities around the world to ensure access to abortion and contraception for all. You can help us protect every body’s right to reproductive freedom. | | |
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| | Online safety book This book covers some of the key online safety issues for young people and includes a range of practical tips and advice on what to do if things go wrong. You can also find a list of important services that can offer extra support. | | |
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| | Sex Ed Australia Sex Education Australia (SEA) delivers quality, age-appropriate sexuality and relationships education to Australian students. These are their extensive resources. | | |
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| | Talking Sex Drawing from extensive experience and contemporary research, this groundbreaking book challenges readers to reconsider outdated beliefs about sex and sexuality education. It’s packed with conversation starters, tips and strategies to empower adults to provide the accurate, comprehensive, age-appropriate information children need for a fulfilling and safe journey through life. | | |
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We want to celebrate, share and make aware. As part of Bloom-Ed's mission to create collective action for RSE, we would love to showcase the fabulous work that is happening around Australia. We want to spotlight any work that supports efforts to provide evidence-based RSE to Australians - be this through homes, schools, community groups, or other means. How can you help? Let us know if there is campaign, petition, consultation or event that we should now about. We'd love to share it. Do you know of a good RSE resource or program that we can showcase on our socials or in our next newsletter? We are always keen to spotlight fabulous initiatives.
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So who is Bloom-ED? We are a collective of teachers, researchers, sexologists, students, parents and activists who operate as an alliance - in conjunction with other organisations - to advocate for comprehensive RSE. Learn more about our hopes for RSE here. At the current time our focus is on improving RSE delivery in Australia, but watch this space... |
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SPREAD THE WORD. Forward this email and encourage colleagues to subscribe... |
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