Wednesday 3 September 2003
MEDIA ALERT
Human Rights Youth Challenge
Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner Pru Goward will introduce a Human Rights Youth Challenge program for students titled 'Tackling Sexual Harassment in your School' in Brisbane tomorrow (4 September).
The day-long Youth Challenge program brings together approximately 80 secondary students from a variety of schools in the region for an interactive day of discussion and debate. The students focus on some examples of harassment in a video 'hypothetical' and then work together to develop strategies and skills to deal with harassment in schools.
"Sexual and homophobic harassment are issues that face students every day," said Ms Goward.
"These types of harassment cause a lot of hurt and damage to students. It can undermine their confidence and affect the decisions they make, like whether or not to leave school.
"An important part of the Youth Challenge program is to let young people know that sexual harassment and other forms of harassment are not ok."
"We want to encourage young people to understand that they can help change the environment around them and work to promote good relationships, based on respect," Commissioner Goward said.
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission is conducting a series of one-day school Youth Challenge programs throughout September including: Perth, WA (11th) and Adelaide, SA (18th).
MS GOWARD WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS/PHOTOS at 11.30 am on Thursday 4 September 2003 at Yungaba Training and Conference Centre 120 Main Street Kangaroo Point, Queensland Media Contact: Paul Oliver (02) 9284 9880 or 0408 469 347
Last updated 14 October 2003.
