Ahead of International Womens' Day on March 8, a new Sutherland Shire partnership is doing its part in getting the message out there that violence against women is simply not OK.
Sutherland Shire Family Services promoted its latest joint educational push at a high school event hosted by Sharks Leagues Club on Tuesday.
The LoveBites Healthy Relationships program is a school-based, domestic and family violence, sexual assault and consent awareness education program that targets 15-17 year-old teens.
The community outreach arm of the Cronulla Sharks Football Club, Sharks Have Heart and their partner Capital Bluestone, have this year come on board to help fund a part-time coordinator for the program.
The program reaches more than 1200 students each year. Delivered as a two-day workshop, it is run by trained volunteers including social workers and police.
But it has no ongoing government funding, and relies on community partnership. Through the support of Sharks, it means several high schools will be able to access the program this year.
Co-captain Wade Graham was among the event's guests this week, helping to spread the word of respectful and safe relationships.
Sharks Have Heart general manager, George Nour, says the partnerships enables an opportunity to further engage with the community by delivering positive messages on values that matter.
Program coordinator Amber Schacht says students are visibly engaged in the program.
“The feedback we get is incredible, with over 95 per cent of students feeling more confident in getting help for themselves or a friend, and over 82 per cent reporting as learning something new," she said.
There is also a chance for creative students to submit works on the program's themes. Awards will be given for creative expressions of healthy relationships, domestic violence awareness and sexual assault prevention. Schools are invited to nominate submissions from their LoveBites sessions or other classes, to be part of an exhibition at the end of the year.