Let’s talk about… Relationships and Sexuality. A Carey parent forum series presented by leading international experts.

This term we are excited to host 2 parent forums focused on Relationships and Sexuality Education from leading international experts, Katrina Marson and Dr Victoria Rawlings. At Carey, we know that a comprehensive relationships and sexuality education is more than just condoms on bananas and 'no means no'. It is also a proven protective factor in the prevention of sexual violence, and yet generations of young Australians haven’t been able to access the education they need to safeguard their own, and each other's, sexual wellbeing. Parents and schools are on the frontline and deserve to be supported in equipping young people with the skills, knowledge and values to navigate this part of life.

On Monday August 19, Katrina Marson will make the case for young people’s right to access this education, explore the practicalities in a school setting, share strategies for parents / carers, and address barriers to implementation. The session will run from 7.00pm – 8.30pm in the IWA. Katrina will have copies of her book for purchase.

On Monday September 02, Dr Victoria Rawlings from the Corridor Cultures research partnership between the University of Sydney and Carey, will provide parents with an update on the research and what it’s telling us about gender and sexuality, belonging and connectedness. This parent forum be held in the Metcalfe Hall (in JSK) from 7.00pm – 8.00pm and will draw on the research Vic has conducted at Carey and 2 other schools as part of the Corridor Cultures project, plus earlier research Vic conducted in different countries and contexts. Vic’s research reinforces that what is essential for some children is good for all children and that identities within particular groups can contribute to ideas that benefit everyone.

You can select to attend just one or both sessions.

Presenters Bio

Katrina Marson
Katrina has been researching the protective power of sex-ed to prevent sexual violence and safeguard sexual wellbeing for a decade. She has been a criminal lawyer since 2013 and led the implementation of the Child Sexual Abuse Royal Commission’s criminal justice recommendations in the ACT before returning to the ACT DPP as a senior prosecutor in the Sexual Offences Unit. Katrina is a Churchill Fellowship recipient and has been appointed to the Federal Government’s National Respectful Relationships Education Expert Working Group. Her first book, ‘Legitimate Sexpectations: the power of sex-ed’, was published in 2022. You can access her TEDx talk here.

Dr Victoria Rawlings
Vic is a Senior Lecturer and ARC DECRA Fellow in the University of Sydney School of Education and Social Work. She works alongside school communities with teacher and student co-researchers to explore and influence institutional cultures of gender and sexuality. She also conducts research on cultures of gender and sexuality in other spaces, and has previously worked with girls and women who umpire Australian Football.