Lesson summary
This one-on-one session helps trusted adults start a conversation with a young person who has crossed a line, whether that be gravely injuring someone or being involved in a violent crime, such as a coward punch. The young person’s behaviours have now reached a point where there is likely to be permanent consequences for their life or the life of another person. They may be in trouble either with gangs, the police or are about to enter the legal system. This session will guide the facilitator through empathy-building, person-centred questioning, referral avenues and planning for life after perpetrating.
This session is not designed to replace professional help and is merely a starting point for providing emergency care and support for the young person. This session should only be delivered with the young person’s consent and all efforts should be taken to respect their privacy and personal agency. Please ensure you are aware of any mandatory reporting requirements that may apply to your role and ensure you inform the appropriate authorities (where appropriate) if you suspect the young person is likely to be in danger of harm or likely to harm someone else.
Learning intentions:
The young person will..
- feel acknowledged and supported
- understand the potential consequences of their actions
- process events
- plan for their future
- be aware of avenues for help-seeking and professional support.
Success criteria:
The young person can..
- access legal and/or counselling support
- take responsibility for their actions and work through self-forgiveness
- consider how they might make amends and make different choices in the future.
Lesson guides and printables
Curriculum links
Select your curriculum from the options below.
Lesson details
Curriculum mapping
Australian Curriculum content descriptions:
Years 9 & 10 Health and Physical Education:
- Investigate how empathy and ethical decision making contribute to respectful relationships (ACPPS093)
- Evaluate situations and propose appropriate emotional responses and then reflect on possible outcomes of different responses (ACPPS094)
- Propose, practise and evaluate responses in situations where external influences may impact on their ability to make healthy and safe choices (ACPPS092)
Syllabus outcomes: PDHPE5.2, PDHPE5.3, PDHPE5.6, PDHPE5.7, PDHPE5.8, PDHPE5.11, PDHPE5.12, PDHPE5.13, PDHPE5.16
General capabilities: Personal and Social Capability
Relevant parts of Years 9 & 10 achievement standards: Students apply decision-making and problem-solving skills when taking action to enhance their own and others’ health, safety and well-being. They evaluate the outcomes of emotional responses to different situations.
Resources required
Skills
This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:
- Communication
- Empathy
- Problem solving
Additional info
Facilitator role: This session is designed to support trusted and caring adults in an existing relationship with the young person, such as parents/caregivers, teachers, coaches, religious leaders, youth workers, school wellbeing staff, community elders or leaders. Facilitators of this session should be careful not to assume knowledge or provide any legal advice or misinformation.
These resources have been designed in partnership with Danny Green's STOP the Coward's Punch campaign.
Danny Green’s STOP the Coward Punch campaign was started in 2012 with the aim of raising awareness of the devastating effects of the coward punch on the community, including the physical and mental scars survivors, families and friends are left with for life.
STOP the Coward Punch believes in the right of all people to enjoy themselves, safely and free from violence. With support from entertainers, athletes, community leaders, politicians and everyday Australians, the campaign aims to raise awareness of the simple precautions we – as a community and as individuals – can take to ensure safe and enjoyable outings and, ultimately, reduce the number of coward punch occurrences in our communities.
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