I’m looking for help
I’m trying to help a loved one
In today’s digital age, where relationships are modelled by the likes of Kim and Kanye, and healthy relationships are rarely newsworthy enough to reach your feed – where can young people learn what a healthy relationship is, and importantly, what it isn’t?
Love Bites is a Respectful Relationships program that aims to provide such answers. It is being delivered by Hope Community Services in partnership with East Metropolitan Health Service, and the goal is to provide a safe environment for young people aged 12-18 to explore topics of sex, relationships and relationship violence.
The program is being piloted for 6 months with different school and community groups in the Armadale, Gosnells and Cannington areas for 6 months, starting with a program at headspace Armadale that kicks of this week.
At the conclusion of the program, young participants are given creative licence to develop community education campaigns around what they have learned.
Love Bites facilitators have been trained by National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) to deliver the program.
Love Bites addressing a need
The program is clearly needed. In October 2023, data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) revealed that nearly 3 in 10 young people aged 18-19 had experienced some form of intimate partner violence. Emotional abuse was the most common form of violence.
“Young people are figuring out so much about the world, and themselves. We all know that our teen years are a time of exploration and encounters that can be embarrassing, confusing, and, sadly, occasionally distressing,” says HOPE Love Bites Coordinator Katie Arrow.
“When they are given the space to talk openly, ask questions without judgement, and connect with people who genuinely care, it makes a real difference. We want to empower them to make choices that are right for them, and to recognise the supports they have, if they ever need help.”
“The more we encourage honest conversation around these topics, the better chance young people have of navigating their relationships with an understanding of how they should be treated, and what is and isn’t okay to tolerate.
“They deserve to feel confident, supported and informed as they jump into big life events like relationships that are likely to involve sex and intimacy.”
If you would like to learn more or know a young person who would like to attend the program, please follow the link below.
Hope Community Services is also a lead partner in the Waullo Dawn Healing Service, a family and domestic violence and abuse service located in Armadale.
