Doing ‘IT‘

#16: Minus 18 - Champions for LGTBIQ Youth

In this episode, we interview Miller Soding from Minus 18. Minus 18 is an Australian youth driven network for LGTBIQ young people. They run events, workshops and provide advocacy resources. Minus 18 is an agency that young people might know about through school. In this discussion, Miller answers questions about the type of work Minus 18 do and why it is so important. She also talks about some logistics of events that parents and carers might want to know about if they have a young person attending an event. Enjoy!
For more information about Minus 18 go to their website. They provide information for young people, created by young people that explains the whole rainbow, including past and future events. Have a look at their social media platforms here: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and twitter.
For more information about Family Planning Victoria go to fpv.org.au
 

#15: Consent

In this episode, we speak with FPV educator Kit about consent. When do young people start to learn about consent? What should adults say about it? What does consent mean in a sexual relationship? What does the law say about consent? What does FPV say about consent in classes? Enjoy!
Family Planning Victoria are based in Victoria and the age of consent laws we reference in this episode are Victorian laws. Please be aware that laws vary from state to state and internationally.
Some resources we use in class to talk about consent include:
Consent for Kids. Consent is like a cup of tea. 
Vic legal aid consent and the law
Laci Green Consent 101.
For more information about Family Planning Victoria go to fpv.org.au

#14: The Clitoris. Vanessa Hamilton

In this episode, we speak with Vanessa Hamilton from Talking the Talk. She discusses the clitoris: a body part that is often left out of the anatomy discussion. We talk about what it is, what young people need to know about it, what to say and when. Enjoy!
FPV advocates for a pleasure positive approach to Relationships and Sexuality Education. We include information about the clitoris as part of anatomy classes in primary school so students have foundational information about bodies when learning about healthy sexual relationships in secondary school.  
More about Vanessa Hamilton at Talking The Talk.
For more information on the clitoris Science Direct has really complete info. Australian Urologist Helen O'Connnell helped put the clitoris back into anatomy texts. Scarleteen has some information and some medical type drawings which explain where the clitoris sits within the body. This French animation mentioned is-  Le clitoris - Animated Documentary (2016) by Lori Malépart-Traversy. Sophia Wallace is the artist who created the Clitoracy Project.
More information about Family Planning Victoria@ fpv.org.au.
Contact us directly at doingit@fpv.org.au.

#13: Fida Sanjakdar - Culture, faith and sexuality education

In this episode, we speak with Fida Sanjakdar. Fida is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Monash University specializing in the intersection of culture, religion and sexuality education. Enjoy!
See Fida's Monash University Biography.
For more information on Victorian Education Department policies on Special Religious Instruction in government schools  (link here).  Relationships and Sexuality Education is written into both the Australian Curriculum and Child Safe Standards. Independent and Religious schools within Victoria align to these also, however some may have their own specific policies about religious instruction and sexuality education. If you are unsure of where your school stands on this, you may like to ask.
More information about Family Planning Victoria @ fpv.org.au. Contact us directly at doingit@fpv.org.au.

#12: Holly Ann Martin - Safe 4 Kids

In this episode, we speak with Holly Ann Martin. Holly Ann is Managing Director of Safe 4 Kids, a child abuse prevention program. Anne speaks with Holly Ann about the program and its impact in remote areas of northern Australia, where Holly Ann works with whole communities. Enjoy!
For more information about Holly Ann visit the Safe 4 Kids website. You can find an online shop here to purchase books and resources. Video resources available on the  Safe 4 Kids YouTube channel. Here you can see tutorials, testimonials and examples of the work being done by her in schools.  Holly Ann mentioned a helpful book by Tess Rowley to introduce protective education to small children– Everyone’s Got a Bottom.
More information about Family Planning Victoria @ fpv.org.au. Contact us directly at doingit@fpv.org.au.

#11: Jenny Walsh

In this episode, we speak with Jenny Walsh. Jenny has been working in the field of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in Australia and internationally for over 25 years. She is a former senior member of the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University. She has authored resources and curriculum such as Catching on Early and Catching on Later which have been used by teachers to deliver RSE curriculum. Jenny tells us what has changed and what has stayed the same in Relationships and Sexuality Education. Enjoy!
Jenny Walsh has a website with her contact details and links to many of the resources she has developed such as: The practical Guide to Love Sex and Relationships animations; Talk Soon Talk Often guide for parents and carers; Catching On Early curriculum resource. These are free to download and use.
More information about Family Planning Victoria @ fpv.org.au. Contact us directly at doingit@fpv.org.au.

#10: 6th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health 2019

In this episode, we chat with Christopher Fisher.
 
Chris is the Associate Professor at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) at La Trobe University. Chris provides a summary of his findings within the 6th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health 2019 about the sexual health knowledge and sexual behaviours of Australian students in grades 10 to 12. Enjoy!
Resources and the survey discussed in the podcast are:
Here is a link to Australian Research Centre into Sex Health and Society where many publications relating to the opinions and practices of Australians are linked. Here is a link directly to the 6th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health 2019.
For international research and information UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in 2017 published a document detailing how international research informs best practice in Relationships and sexuality Education. International technical guidance on sexuality education: an evidence-informed approach
More information about Family Planning Victoria @ fpv.org.au. Contact us directly at doingit@fpv.org.au.

#9: Cognitive Disability and Puberty

In this episode, we speak to Kardie from FPV’s Schools and Community team. Kardie works with young people with cognitive disability to help guide them through puberty and how to have respectful relationships. We talk about what young people with cognitive disability need to know about puberty, when they need to know it and how their experience may be the same or different to their neuro-typical peers. Enjoy!
Resources mentioned in the podcast:
Amaze.org.au has partnered with FPV and Cottons to provide a resource explaining menstruation with a social script and illustrations. Better Health has information about puberty and young people with cognitive disability. Speak Up And Be Safe is a website with downloadable communication aids specifically about body safety. Some books about puberty are: Special Secret Girls Business; Special Secret Boys Business. 
 
More information about FPV including information about talking to children with cognitive disability about sex and easy English fact sheet go to  fpv.org.au

#8: Masturbation

In this episode, we talk about masturbation. Parents and carers often have questions about how and when to talk to young people about masturbation. Anne records this episode on her own. Enjoy!
Resources listed in the podcast are:
Better Health Channel has some information about masturbation. Amaze.org have a cute video about masturbation as well as a bunch of other resources on YouTube. Books about young people and sexuality or puberty often contain information about masturbation. 
Transcript available here.

#7: What is sex?

In this episode, we discuss how to talk with young people about sex. Talking about sex often accompanies discussions about puberty in mid-primary school classes, prompting further questions at home. Parents and carers might find it difficult to know what to say. Schools Educator Athi joins Anne to share some wisdom on how to start or continue these conversations at home. Enjoy!. 
Suggested resources for the podcast:
"What Makes a Baby" by Cory Silverberg is a really gentle introduction to the idea that the sperm and egg join and that's how a baby starts. "Mummy Laid an Egg" by Babbette Cole is a really great picture book for younger children. "The Amazing True Story of How Babies Are Made' by Fiona Katasukus available as a book and a 3 part animation. The Australian Research Center, in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University publish research about sexual behavior of young people.
Transcript available here.