Contributed by Gwendalyn Faith Dabaja
The Origins of RESPECT
In 2013, the RESPECT program ran in its first iteration, primarily focused on the arts development of young men. RESPECT program manager, Craig Taunton, and former director, Tim Carroll, envisioned that a group of young men would prepare a song to be performed in Bankstown for White Ribbon Day. The first RESPECT group from Bankstown Public School produced the original song “Women Are Great” under Craig’s guidance. It was a resounding success.
They produced a really cool song, and they performed it in Bankstown on White Ribbon Day. We had a number of other performances, but it was definitely the standout. A lot of people were standing there that day saying, “Wow. This is something special. We’ve uncovered something here”.
Craig Taunton, Program Manager – RESPECT
In 2014, the program ran for the second time, now with the involvement of professional domestic violence counsellor, Bruce Chan. Through this partnership, RESPECT developed its educational focus on domestic violence and healthy relationships.
From 2015 onwards, with the support of the Smith Family, the RESPECT program has continued to expand across primary schools in Canterbury-Bankstown.
Performance and community
Since the inception of RESPECT in 2013, performance has been central to the program. Over the years, participants have performed their original songs at Outloud’s annual White Ribbon Showcase, as well as other community events including domestic violence conferences.
I was just on stage packing up something and I heard a lady’s voice say, “Excuse me, excuse me.” I turned around and came over and she said, “I was watching your show and I just wanted to commend you for what you’re doing. I just came in to do the shopping tonight and I ended up watching the whole show. I was amazed.” And she said, “I was a victim of domestic violence myself and I remember I couldn’t talk to anyone about it. You, bringing it to the shopping centre, and having all these people talking about it is amazing. We need more of this.” And that said it all for me.
Craig Taunton, Program Manager – RESPECT
In 2018, RESPECT participants from Punchbowl Public School performed their song “We are the Future” at the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service Conference in the Sydney CBD. This performance features strongly in one former participant’s memory, reflecting on his experience as a Year 10 student:
When I hear about RESPECT, I remember the bonds and the brotherhood that we made through the program. I also remember when we performed in the city and seeing the impact we had on the crowd. There were women crying in the crowd and people cheering. It was just one of the best moments.
After we performed in the city and our message touched the hearts of the audience, they came up and wanted to shake our hands and just tell us we did a good job and that the message was spread properly.
It made me see myself as someone who stands up to domestic violence acts. When I did the performance and those ladies came up to us after, I was really proud. It was a good moment for me and my boys to share to the rest of our primary mates.
Tevita, RESPECT participant
Shifting attitudes and opening conversations
Researchers from Macquarie University (2015) and Western Sydney University (2019) have assessed the impact of the RESPECT program as highly successful in its focus on open discussion, narrative, music creation and performance. RESPECT fosters self-confidence, pride in advocating for healthy relationships, and respect for peers and teachers among participating students.
The program also helped me develop a mentality to never stay silent. Don’t be a bystander. If you see something’s not right, stand up and speak out against it.
Tevita, RESPECT participant
It has changed my way of thinking. It has changed the way I treat people.
Vasilije, RESPECT participant
Beyond shifts in individual participants’ attitudes, researchers have documented the positive impact of the program on school culture more broadly, including improved gender equity in playground interactions. All respondents interviewed as part of the 2019 study expressed that what they had learned about domestic violence in the program was important to them. In many cases, the learning that takes place within RESPECT groups has a lifespan well beyond the program.
I shared what I learned about equal relationships and equal rights with my cousins and changed their perspective on how they see women and people in general. And I have a little brother who looks up to me. He watches the video every now and then. It’s good to see that he gets the message from the video. And if he ever needs to learn anything about domestic violence and equal relationships, he just comes up to me and asks.
Tevita, RESPECT participant
In 2021, a RESPECT group from Banksia Road Public School produced the original song “Fatherhood”— a unique and meaningful collaboration with participants’ fathers.
From RESPECT participants to alumni mentors
In 2022, the program expanded to involve alumni, now Year 10 students in high school, who are trained to facilitate RESPECT workshops with current primary school participants. Alumni mentors have taken up roles as leaders in their school communities and articulated their long-term commitment to values of respect and equality.
I want to be a domestic violence counsellor. I thought, when I was in Year 6, that I’d like to be a future ambassador. And doing this program in high school, I think it makes me one, doesn’t it?
I think it’s something that I could really do in the future. Because seeing these boys in the primary school, I could really relate to them. Because I’ve been in their shoes. I’ve been where they sit. So, I think I relate to them as they can relate to me.
It’s cool because they look up to us and we inspire them to be better people. It’s good to see we’re influencing them in such a positive way. I felt they were a bit more comfortable to ask us questions they wouldn’t ask their teachers normally, just because they didn’t see us as teachers or mentors. They just saw us as friends and brothers.
The program stayed the same, but it has evolved. The boys— they’re spitting mad bars! You can really understand the message, not just understanding what they say, but feeling it in your heart. And knowing what they are saying is the best.
Tevita, RESPECT participant
2023 marks 10 years of the RESPECT program.
I think I carry the values with me wherever I go and whoever I talk to, I carry the values of RESPECT because I am really proud to be a part of this program.
Tevita, RESPECT participant
You always have to show your values— it isn’t just for the program, it’s for your entire life.
Vasilije, RESPECT participant
Gwendalyn Dabaja is an Arts (History)/Law student at the University of Sydney. The history documented above is drawn from interviews she conducted with RESPECT facilitators and participants in 2022.
Partners and supporters
This project is supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Social Services, and the Bankstown Communities for Children partnership through The Smith Family.
