What is respectED?
respectED is a universal evidence-based program that delivers curriculum aligned consent and healthy relationships education, with the aim of preventing dating and relationship violence among adolescents. The program empowers young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate dating and relationships both online and offline.
Who is respectED for?
The program is designed for all Year 9 and 10 (Stage 5) students and is aligned with the Australian Curriculum (Version 9), which includes mandatory consent education.
What is the respectED study?
The respectED study is a cluster randomised controlled trial involving 24 schools across Australia. Schools are randomly assigned into an intervention group (who receive the respectED program) or a control group (who receive their regular health education). This type of group allocation is called cluster randomisation, which allows for the two groups to be compared over time to evaluate the efficacy of the program.
Who can participate and what will it involve?
Participants in this study are Stage 5 students and their PDHPE teachers. All students will be asked to complete 3 online surveys over a 6-month period to determine the efficacy of the program. PDHPE teachers will also be asked to complete a brief logbook to capture any relevant health education that was delivered to participating cohorts during the study. In addition, students and teachers in the intervention group will be asked to complete a brief evaluation of the program.
Who runs the respectED study?
The study is led by Dr Siobhan O’Dean and Dr Amy-Leigh Rowe from the University of Sydney, in collaboration with young people, teachers, and an international team of experts. See our Team page for more information.
Has the study received ethical approval?
Yes, the respectED study has been approved by the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (2025/HE000394) which requires conduct in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research
What will happen to the information that is collected?
All information collected will be de-identified and only group aggregate level data will appear in any reports or publications. No identifiable student, teacher, or school information will ever be presented.
We will store this information and dispose of it securely following the University of Sydney’s Recordkeeping Policy.
How can my school participate in the respectED study?
If you would like your school to take part in this study, please contact us via respectED.study@sydney.edu.au to express your interest.
Is respectED safe and appropriate for young people?
Yes, respectED has been co-designed with young people and reviewed by education experts and psychologists, to ensure it is both safe and relevant. It is curriculum aligned, evidence-based, trauma-informed, age-appropriate, and inclusive of gender and sexuality diversity.
What does co-designed mean?
Co-designed means that a collaborative approach to design was undertaken and key stakeholders were given power in the decision making. In the case of respectED program, this was an iterative process involving students in Year 9 & 10, PDHPE teachers, a Youth Advisory Board, and people with lived experience, education, and topic expertise.
What does evidence-based mean?
The term ‘evidence-based’ means that the program is grounded in high-quality research and informed by the best available scientific evidence and theory. Each component of the program has been developed using reliable information sources, is backed by scientific studies, and has been reviewed by leading experts in psychology, health, and education. This ensures that the program is contemporary, relevant, and accurate.
Do I need to pay to use respectED?
No, access to the respectED Program is currently for the purpose of research supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – Medical Research Future Fund.
Are there any technical requirements to access respectED?
The digital component of the respectED program requires a stable internet connection and access to a web browser. The program has been tested using Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Safari. If you have any technical issues accessing the site, please contact us via respectED.study@sydney.edu.au.
What if I no longer want to participate in the respectED study?
If you, your child, or school, are currently participating in the respectED study and would like to withdraw from the study, please contact us by emailing respectED.study@sydney.edu.au. Your decision to withdraw will not affect your (or their) relationship with the researchers or anyone else at the University of Sydney or collaborating institutions now or in the future.
Contact us
If you have a question or comment that is not answered in these FAQs, please reach out via respectED.study@sydney.edu.au.