Domestic violence survivors are urging for significant changes to the Australian school curriculum and the introduction of grassroots education programs to better inform young people about abusive and controlling behaviors. This call for action comes as Australia faces a surge in domestic violence incidents, a situation Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described as a “national crisis.”
According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, 34 women were killed by an intimate partner in the 2022-2023 period, marking a nearly 30 percent increase from the previous year. Research from Counting Dead Women Australia reports that 43 women have already lost their lives to violence this year.
Experts describe the situation as “dire” and stress the need for urgent, comprehensive action, including enhanced education for young people and more accessible support services for victims.
Survivors of domestic violence and concerned parents are advocating for targeted education within the Australian curriculum, aimed at helping young people recognize early warning signs of abuse. Although schools across Australia currently implement the Respectful Relationships program—which covers topics such as gender equity, consent, and sexuality—survivors and parents argue that it falls short. They believe children should be taught about coercion, control, predatory behavior, and other forms of non-physical abuse, starting from primary school, using real-life examples in an age-appropriate manner.
“It’s a scary world we live in, especially with the rising focus on gendered violence,” one parent remarked. “We need to educate our kids on what constitutes a healthy relationship and equip them with the skills to identify toxic behaviors early on.”
Azelene Williams, a domestic violence survivor, counselor, and social worker, emphasized the life-saving potential of educating young people about abusive and controlling behavior.
“Equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to abusive behavior is crucial for their wellbeing and development,” Williams stated. “It helps them build healthier relationships and empowers them to make informed decisions.”
Williams, who endured an abusive relationship during her teenage years, now shares her personal experiences with students across Australia. “Understanding the cycle of abuse and recognizing red flags can truly save lives,” she said. “I was unaware of these signs, which almost cost me my life twice.”
Anita Bentata, another survivor of domestic violence, underscored the importance of empowering and educating young people about abuse.
“Even if a young person comes from a non-toxic family, they are often not taught by their parents how to recognize or protect themselves from toxic or predatory figures, especially when the predator uses confident, manipulative, or charming tactics,” Bentata explained. “There is a serious failure in education across society, psychology, the education system, and within families when it comes to recognizing abuse and toxic behaviors.”
Bentata, a retired psychotherapist who now runs a support group called Melbourne Women Starting Again, pointed out that non-physical forms of abuse, which are often harder to identify, contribute to the complexity of the issue. Factors such as mislabeling toxic connections as love, co-dependency, and fear of leaving also play significant roles.
“In my anecdotal research, I have found that many women noticed early warning signs but were influenced to ignore them, leading them to distrust their own instincts and intuition,” Bentata said. “No matter what someone’s history is, there is never an excuse for someone to harm another person. There is always an alternative to toxic behaviors.”