Doing ‘IT‘

In this episode Anne speaks with criminal lawyer Katrina Marson. Katrina has done extensive international research into Relationships and Sexuality Education as a preventive strategy to reduce the incidence of sexual violence in the community. Katrina discusses the potential impact of RSE programs, barriers to success, and what models work well in other parts of the world. Resources: For more info...

In this episode FPV Medical Director Dr Kathy McNamee explains the process of abortion. This is something that students in secondary school often ask about. Young people want to know about availability and privacy of abortion services. Kathy covers  Australian laws around abortion, what might happen to someone’s body during an abortion and what support a person might need before and after an abort...

In this episode Anne talks with Family Planning Victoria Dr Sara Whitburn and pharmacist David from Woodhouse Grove Pharmacy about emergency contraception. Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy if no contraceptive protection was used, if the condom broke, or if a contraceptive pill was missed. It's yet another important part of the sexual health conversation parents and carers can h...

In this episode Anne speaks to FPV's Dr Lucy Donovan, about preventing human immunodeficiency virus or HIV through the use of Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). PrEP and PEP are ways of using anti-viral medication to suppress HIV and stop its spread. PrEP and PEP might be used by people of all genders. Talking about these medications is an important part of a disc...

In this episode Dr Suzanne Pearson from FPV talks through Sexually Transmissible Infections (STI's). Learning about STI's is part of gaining an understanding of sexual health. Suzanne talks about the effect of STI's when they are not diagnosed and the availability of treatment. Also, the importance for young people to be confident to ask for testing and being able to discuss testing status with se...

In this episode Dr Lona Brown from Family Planning Victoria talks about contraception. This is an important part of our secondary school sex education. Lona talks through up to date information about contraception, including efficacy, cost and privacy. It's important for young people to have this information, so they are able to be responsible for their own sexual health and support their sexual p...

In this episode, FPV Chief Executive Officer, Claire Vissenga talks about pleasure. One of the most common reasons for people to choose a sexual relationship is the pursuit of pleasure. Yet discussions of pleasure are left out of curriculum and policy. Claire talks through FPV’s approach to this discussion and its importance. Resources listed in the podcast: World Health Organisation definition of...

In this episode, Natalie from FPV talks us through inclusive language and how it applies to the way we talk about relationships and sexuality. In her work as Community Engagement and Health Promotions Officer, Natalie talks with many community groups to find out what is important to them, making FPV's services more inclusive and accessible. We discuss the importance of pronouns, define some key te...

In this episode, sexual health nurse Alison everything you ever wanted to know about condoms. As Educators, we are frequently asked to talk about condoms in our classes. Upper primary school children often have questions about them. Secondary school students get a lot more information about what condoms are, what they are used for and how to use them. We also discuss how to talk to young people ab...

In this episode, we interview writer and LGBTIQ advocate Jac Tomlins. Jac has created a resource called Trans and Gender Diverse Parents Guide. In it, she records the experience of parenting as a transgender, gender diverse person or a person who is transitioning while parenting. These individual stories are published together to start building a picture of a collective experience and provide insi...

In this episode, we interview Kate Bourne from the Victorian Assisted Reproduction Treatment Authority (VARTA). VARTA is responsible for the registration of reproductive clinics, public education, donor conception registers and can connect people with a sperm or egg donor. Statistically, there is a child in every class who was conceived through some kind of Assisted Reproductive Technology. When F...

In this episode, we interview Fiona Katauskas. Fiona is a cartoonist, author and illustrator. She is the artist behind The Amazing True Story of How Babies are Made, a popular book that has been animated into a three-part series for families and schools.  Fiona has created a funny, accurate and inclusive narrative as a way to guide a conversation about how babies are made. Family Planning Victoria...

In this episode, we talk to FPV’s Nurse Educator Sam Read. Young people often ask questions about sexual health information and seek information about how to protect their privacy. Sam talks about what it takes for a young person to get themselves to the doctor. What age can someone see a doctor on their own? Does a parent have to know if a young person has been prescribed contraception? What even...

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 log...

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 Victoria...

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 a...

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 a...

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...

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...

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 t...

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 pe...

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 abo...

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 resourc...

In this episode, we talk about periods. FPV Schools Education Manager Bonnie talks through the common questions that young people have about periods. How they work, myths and realities, talking about and managing periods. This episode is a part of a series about puberty. Enjoy! Suggested resources from the podcast:  Kotex is a company that will send out free pads and tampons  ubykotex.com.ou . Cot...

In this episode, we talk about sperm production. FPV Schools Educator Rael explains what we should say to students about bodies as they start to produce sperm during puberty. This episode is a part of a series about puberty. Enjoy! Suggested resources from the podcast: Puberty Boy by Geoff Price. Secret Boys' Business by Fay Angelo, Rose Stewart and Heather Pritchard. Amaze.org have a YouTube chan...