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Teenagers empowered to stand tall in new school self-defence program

Female teens in a self-defence workshop
Female teens in a self-defence workshop

With International Women's Day just passed, we are proud to help launch Got Your Back Sista's 10-week self defence program in the Hunter region helping to educate teenage students on healthy relationships.

The program, known as Stand Tall Sista for Teens, was developed in response to the high rate of violence against women, with one in three women having experienced physical violence since the age of 15.

Female students at WEA Hunter's Alesco Senior Colleges are taking part in the program, which teaches them the basics of self-defence, how to scan an environment, and how to identify the red flags of an unhealthy relationship.

nib foundation Executive Officer, Amy Tribe said it's proud to support a unique program which empowers teens to take a stand, look out for each other and take care of their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

"It's an unfortunate reality where woman need to be aware of the possible physical and domestic dangers that might occur when out in public or in the home," Mrs Tribe said.

"This program is an opportunity to provide a positive support network for young girls and connect them to the right services if they do find themselves in a dangerous situation," she added.

The program is led by Carly Reasbeck, GYBS's qualified Taekwondo and self-defence instructor, and will help students from diverse backgrounds to build confidence and understand what a respectful relationship without violence should look like.

Principal of Alesco Senior Colleges, Therese Pantalone said that the program was an important addition to the 2019 curriculum.

"Many of our young people are from diverse backgrounds and some have grown up in and around unhealthy relationships. We believe that this program will certainly help these young students to understand what respectful relationships without violence should look like," Therese said.

"We also see this as a great opportunity to provide students with an opportunity to engage in a physical activity that we believe will not only build their self-confidence but also build a collegiate teamwork with their peers," she added.

You can check out the work of Got Your Back Sista for more information.