Love Bites Training
Up to 40 local police officers will be undergoing a two-day training course on the Love Bites program which has been sponsored by the Castle Hill RSL Group (CHRG).
The first group of officers attended the course this week at Castle Hill RSL. Police on the course were from the Hills, Hawkesbury and Parramatta Police Area Commands.
The aim is to train the police members as course facilitators, enabling them to run the program at multiple local schools. The schoolbased Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Assault prevention program models respectful relationships and is aimed at students aged between 15 and 17 in Years 9 and 10. It provides teenagers with a safe environment to examine, discuss and explore respectful relationships.
David O’Neil, Group CEO of CHRG said “We recognise that education is key to change, which is why the Love Bites Program is so important, as it equips participants with the knowledge they need to effect change amongst youth, and support the work of local charities who are working hard to achieve better outcomes.”
Superintendent Jason Joyce, Hills Police Area Commander, thanked Castle Hill RSL Group for supporting the expansion of the program.
Due to a generous grant from CHRG a number of police officers are being trained to deliver the Love Bites program in schools. The hope is to prevent young people becoming involved in domestic violence as a victim or an offender,” he said.
The Love Bites courses were rolled out Nationally by NAPCAN, the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect in 2008. The program reaches over 10,000 students annually in NSW schools.
