RPE

We’re proud to be partnering with Silo Theatre in support of the schools tour of PLAYFIGHT.

PLAYFIGHT explores themes of girlhood, sexuality, relationships, and growing up - opening up important conversations with young people about consent, wellbeing, and respectful relationships.

This partnership reflects the importance of organisations working together to support young people in meaningful, relevant, and engaging ways. Through theatre, storytelling, and prevention education, we can help create safer spaces for reflection, dialogue, and learning.

Ngā mihi to the team at Silo Theatre for the opportunity to collaborate on this important kaupapa.

RPE Youth Co-Design Event held on Thursday 21st May

A small but insightful group of rangatahi worked with us to explore how we teach and talk about bystander intervention, upstanding, and taking action in our communities.

They helped us make sure the content was relatable, supported us in finding language that genuinely connects, and even inspired us to explore the role teachers and educators can play as active bystanders within school spaces.

It was so valuable to hear directly from young people in the room and create space for honest, thoughtful conversations together.

Your voice. Your strategies. Your Aotearoa.

This Youth Awareness Week, we’re recognising the power of rangatahi to shape safer communities across Aotearoa. Being an upstander means showing up for others, speaking out against harm, and helping create a culture built on respect, safety, and care.

BodySafe Tāmaki Makaurau works to create an Aotearoa free from sexual violence, coercion, and harm - because when people stand beside each other, it shifts culture for the better.

Your ideas matter. Your actions matter. Together, young people can help shape the strategies and conversations that truly work for rangatahi

This week, we’ve talked about how much responses matter.
But this change doesn’t happen on its own.
It happens because people are taught how to respond safely.
It happens because organisations like RPE are out there doing this work every day.
And it happens because people choose to support it.
If you believe survivors deserve safe, supportive responses, you can be part of making that happen.
https://givealittle.co.nz/donate/org/rpe

Teaching tamariki about consent, body safety, and boundaries doesn’t have to be a big or serious conversation. Often, it’s built through small everyday moments - reading together, imaginative play, and giving them choices.

These simple interactions can help build confidence, communication, and trust from an early age.

Here are 3 things to try with your family.

Knowing how to respond supportively doesn’t just happen. It’s something people learn through education and practice.
That’s where RPE comes in.
We work to make sure more people:
✔ Know what to say
✔ Understand their impact
✔ Can respond in ways that support, not harm
Because one good response can make all the difference.
https://rpe.co.nz/professional-development-more/

Sometimes the messages tamariki hear every day can shape whether they feel safe to speak up, set boundaries, or ask for help.

From respecting their “no” to validating their feelings, small changes in how we respond can have a lasting impact.

Here are 4 things to avoid - and what to do instead to help build trust, confidence, and safety.

Your response matters more than you think
When your tamariki open up, the way you listen and respond can shape how safe they feel - now and in the future.
Pause. Be present.
Listen without interrupting.
Believe them.
Stay calm, even if it’s hard.
Let them know they did the right thing by telling you.
You don’t need all the answers - you just need to be a safe place for them to land.
**eAwarenessWeek

Your Response Matters

Your child is always learning from you.
Not just what you say - but how you respond.

This week, we’re sharing simple ways your response can build trust, safety, and confidence.

Because your response matters.

**eAwarenessWeek