I feel that young people really respond to Peer Educators, as we are not seen as authority figures they do not see us every day and we do not have that traditional teaching role.

It is really important to inform young people about domestic violence as there are lots of myths associated with it, plus you can explore gender roles in relation to violence.   The feedback on the evaluation sheets are so positive they seem to pick up the main points and I found this so encouraging".

 I found that by giving young people information about domestic violence and healthy relationships was a meaningful experience.   It felt good to be a part of educating young people in how to identify and take on healthy relationships.

Through ongoing contact with Peer Educators we hear how the experience of working with Keep Safe Stay Cool continues to impact on themselves, their families, friends and on their future. We appreciate the role they continue to play as young anti-violence activists in the community".

Peer Educators’ Experience

The most apparent change that we see through Keep Safe Stay Cool is in the development of the Peer Educators. Throughout their participation it is a privilege to see how they grow in confidence, skills and knowledge. In 2000, to evaluate the first peer educator’s experience of working with Keep Safe Stay Cool a young Social Work student on placement with Noarlunga Health Services held individual interviews with each of the Peer Educators. The student explored perceived attitude and knowledge changes and asked the young people to assess what they had gained.

Peer Educators’ Learning Experiences and Perceptions of Change

The Peer Educators describe how the project has affected their lives through their participation in the team work, the planning and the learning/teaching about the issues that Keep Safe Stay Cool addresses i.e.:

 “I think we have changed a lot from when we first started to what we are now.”

Another peer educator identified that last year he had an attitude of “it’s all too hard”, but since being involved with Keep Safe Stay Cool he states:

“This year I’ve got some weird determination thing happening and I’m sure a lot of it has come from Keep Safe Stay Cool.”

A different peer educator said,

“This has really boosted me up to think I could do anything.”

Personal development skills have been enhanced as a result of Keep Safe Stay Cool. One peer educator has identified that she has gained:

“more confidence in speaking and being able to challenge people’s ideas.”

Another comment made by a peer educator:

“it’s made me a lot stronger. I voice my opinions a lot more now than what I would ever have. If you had said to me two years ago that I could stand up in front of a classroom full of people there would be no way … so it’s given me heaps of confidence to get into a room full of people and no worries.”

The Peer Educators identified that Keep Safe Stay Cool has affected decisions about their futures.

One peer educator identifies:

“I’ve always had a vision to do medicine or nursing or something … but now through this experience I have awareness of human rights and domestic violence … and I don’t necessarily want to do nursing now. It’s opened my eyes so much to what’s around … I’ll always be looking at justice in everything.”

“This is definitely a starting point for me. Eventually, if I dare say, I will go on to Uni., or probably TAFE first. Definitely this is going to be a start.”

Involvement with Keep Safe Stay Cool also has a ripple effect among informal networks that the young people have contact with. One of the Peer Educators identified that as a result of her learning she has been able to educate others informally:

 “I’ve had people talk to me, friends of mine who are going through some of these things and I can just give them information that I wouldn’t of known before.”

For the Peer Educators the role of being able to change thinking has been important ie:

 “I like the way that it’s a really good project in that it’s empowering for young people. It’s telling them that you’re the people that have the abilities to get rid of domestic violence in the future. We’re not telling you that that is what you have to do but by giving you the information you are the people that can make those choices, and really have a big affect on getting rid of domestic violence.”

Keep Safe Stay Cool has encouraged the Peer Educators to look at their current relationships as well as future relationships that they will encounter.

 “It’s made me think twice about a lot of things. Like what is a really healthy relationship and how do you make relationships work in friendships or with parents?”

With regards to their own contribution peer eductors commented:

 “To educate young people and to be a part of that I feel personally really empowered.”

 “You can see that people have taken in what you have said and are taking away perhaps a different attitude than what they came in with. They’re taking away a positive outlook and they can make a difference and that’s heaps of a reward for you. It’s really encouraging.”

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