Doing ‘IT‘

Part 2 of 7. Curriculum. This series of podcasts is produced with the support of the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. We will look closely at how young people might engage with sexual content online and how parents and carers can get involved in this discussion. In this episode listen to educators talk about how the curriculum includes opportunities to deliver sessions around esafety and sexual...

Part 1 of 7. What is the Problem? This series of podcasts is produced with the support of the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. We will look closely at how young people might engage with sexual content online and how parents and carers can get involved in this discussion. In this episode listen to parents, a wellbeing coordinator and eSafety talk about why this is a conversation you need to have...

In this episode Sarah from marketing talks about our new name: Sexual Health Victoria.  Thanks for all the support over the last two years of Doing 'IT'. There is lots more to come in 2022. Please get in touch with feedback or suggestions. doingit@shvic.org.au .   

In this episode CEO of Inherited, Sarah Powell talks about the importance of breast awareness. Pink Hope is a preventative health hub designed to connect and inform people about cancer risk. Young people frequently ask questions about breasts during puberty. So, what could we tell them about breast cancer risk?  Resources: See Inherited (formerly Pink Hope) for more information https://www.inherit...

In this Episode FPV Schools and Community Manager Brendan Bailey speaks about the principals of trauma informed practice. We know that we deliver sessions to students, teachers and parents who have been impacted by traumatic experiences. So how can we safely deliver information about sex and sexuality with this in mind. Resources: See Berry St Education Model . For more information about FPV inclu...

In this episode Dr Karin Hammarberg explains what happens when people need medical help to make a baby. We talk about what has changed and what the future of fertility treatments might be. Resources: More about Dr Karin Hammarberg , Monash University. See VARTA for information about ART, including how to discuss this with children. FPV  teaching resources and  self paced online learning module tea...

In this episode we speak with Bec Martin from Evolve Education. Evolve delivers cyber safety information to school aged children and families. Bec has worked extensively as a teacher with primary-aged children to support age-appropriate Digital Wellbeing and Cybersafety. Anne and Bec discuss the links between Relationships and Sexuality Education and Cybersafety to navigate the likelihood that you...

In this episode we speak to author Nevo Zisin. Nevo’s new book The Pronoun Lowdown is a simple guide to the changing language around gender. Nevo makes it really clear how and why this is so important to the trans and gender diverse community.   Resources:  Find more information about  Nevo Zisin  and their book  The Pronoun Lowdown.   Minus 18  for support and information. Documentary  Disclosure...

In this episode, Cath from 1800MYOPTIONS talks us through the common questions people call with about sexual health. This is a fantastic service to know about and make sure the young people in your life know about too. Resources:   Visit  www.1800myoptions.org.au  for contact details, and information. Call 1800MYOPTIONS on 1800 696 784. Or For more information about FPV @  fpv.org.au.   

18000MYOPTIONS has answered over 14000 calls from people seeking advice and referrals about sexual and reproductive health. Many callers want to know more about pregnancy options. In this episode, Cath tells us what people want to know when they have questions about abortion. Resources:   Visit  www.1800myoptions.org.au  for contact details, and information. Call 1800MYOPTIONS on 1800 696 784. Or ...

Over the next 3 episodes I will be talking to Emily and Cath who work with 1800MYOPTIONS.   1800 My Options is a free, confidential and independent phone service that provides information and pathways to sexual and reproductive health services in Victoria – such as abortion, contraception, pregnancy options and STI testing. In this episode, Emily tells us exactly what callers want to know about co...

In this episode we deep dive into the navigating the world of sexual consent. We discuss how effective communication skills positively impact pleasurable experiences and what that means both emotionally and legally for young people. We discuss with Sue our expert educator how consent applies to real world experiences and how it can have devastating outcomes if not clearly understood and defined. T...

Here at FPV, we are frequently asked about the use of menstrual cups, so we invited Dr Sara, our resident GP, to share her insights. In this episode, we discuss the rise in popularity of menstrual cups as people seek new environmentally friendly ways to manage their periods. Resources: Lunette sells menstrual cups. They also have a youtube channel with short videos about menstrual cups.  Diva Cups...

In this episode we talk to triple J presenter and author Bridget Hustwaite.  Bridget shares her experience of endometriosis. It can take a long time to be diagnosed with this chronic disease as it is much misunderstood. We talk about her book ‘How To Endo’ and her insta community ’Endogram’ to help take you on the journey. Resources:  Bridget has a  webpage  for more information about her includin...

In this episode, Olivia talks about her experience of being one of two mums in a proud rainbow family. She shares her experiences on starting a family, growing up, and how the marriage equality bill has impacted her family.  Resources:  Australian Institute of Family Studies  for research around same sex parented families.   Victorian Pride Centre  is a hub for a range of LGBTIQ+ focused organisat...

In this episode comedian, Simon Taylor discusses his book ‘One Night Stand’. Simon candidly shares his real-life experience of a casual sexual encounter followed by an unplanned pregnancy. We discuss relationships, sexual health, contraception and what he wishes to tell his younger self.    Resources:  Simon Taylor online at  simontaylorfunnyboy.com   for upcoming shows, social media, book sales a...

In this episode Professor Kath Albury draws on her research to discuss ethical considerations around young people exchanging sexual pictures. Kath discusses how online sexual behaviour, the law and adult expectations do not always match. Resources: See Professor Kath Albury on Swinburne University website. Relevant research papers are Young People and Sexting in Australia: ethics, representation a...

In this episode FPV educator Andrea talks about children seeing pornography. It is usual for young people to be curious about bodies and sex and they sometimes look to the internet to provide this information. Parents and carers often tell us that they don’t know how or when to start a conversation about pornography, even if they are worried about the potential harms of seeing it. Listen for some...

In this episode Andrew from Victoria Legal Aid explains the legalities of sexting. We talk through some scenarios that young people often ask about. Understanding sexting and the law is a great way to get this conversation started at home.  Note: laws vary between states. Victorian laws are explained in this episode.  Resources: Victoria Legal Aid  for simple explanations of the law. VLA education...

In this episode Clare from Victoria Legal Aid talks through the laws about sex that young people should know. These include age of consent, laws around viewing pornography, and explanations of grooming. Resources: Go to Victoria Legal Aid for explanations of the law 1300 792 387. VLA education kit for teachers called ‘ Sex, young people and the law ’. Youth Law Australia for state-based laws in Au...

In this episode, author and publisher Jayneen Sanders talks about her vision to empower young people from a young age with body safety information and protective behaviours. Her aim is to help keep children safe from abuse. Jayneen writes and publishes books and resources, which can be used by teachers, parents and carers. These can help with conversations about sometimes challenging topics like s...

Often people think that Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is only for students in senior years of primary school or secondary school. However, there is a lot of information that can be taught to children even before they get to school. Expert educator Athi from Family Planning Victoria, talks about what could be included in an RSE program in pre-school or kindergarten.  Resources: More i...

In this episode Anne speaks with Karen Molhuysen from Sexual Health Quarters in Western Australia. SHQ is part of the Family Planning Alliance Australia, and does very similar work to FPV. Karen has some practical advice on starting a conversation about sex with the idea that sex is most often about pleasure.  Resources: See  Sexual Health Quarters .  World Health Organisation definition of  sexua...

In this episode Anne talks to Dr Gemma Sharp. Gemma is a clinical psychologist and Senior Research Fellow in the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre where she leads the Body Image Research Group. Gemma discusses young people and genital self image, the rising popularity of labiaplasty surgery and the positive impact education can have on body image. Resources: For more information about FPV @...

In this episode we provide some small RSE homework tasks for each year level. FPV Schools Manager Bonnie details the skills and knowledge we would like students to have at different stages of their schooling. It is possible that due to COVID restrictions, students may miss out on planned RSE classes this year. Parents and carers who try a recommended task will be helping prepare their children for...