While road tripping to Broome during the height of the COVID pandemic, Curtin Health Promotion graduates Nicolette Beard and Kate Raston birthed an idea that would change the way health education is delivered across Australia.
After reflecting on their own experiences of sexual health education in high school and noticing a critical gap in the market, Nicolette and Kate set out to make a difference.
“After having those deeper conversations around sexual health and consent with our friends later in life, we began to realise that most of our friends went through similar experiences.
“We really wanted to start these conversations earlier, so it doesn’t come as a shock or surprise when young people are confronted with these challenging situations for the first time and they have tools to handle these moments as they arise,” Kate said.
Studies show more than three quarters of Australians have reported the sex education they received in school did not prepare them for real life experiences and more than a third didn’t receive any sex education at all.
Combining their 16 years of experience in teaching and health promotion, Nicolette and Kate launched not-for-profit organisation, We Are W/M.
Through We Are W/M, the duo is passionate about educating young people on how to have positive, respectful and consensual relationships through evidence-based and trauma informed education that is relevant to them.
As a victim survivor of sexual assault, Kate is passionate about preventing sexual violence against women and advocating for gender equality.
“I just don’t want people to experience what I went through, so that has been a driver in the work that I do.
“I truly believe that what happened to me was not a reflection of the person that did it, but rather a reflection of the broader education system that failed them and failed me.
I believe had I been taught the right education around consent and healthy relationships this would not have happened,” Kate said.
Currently in Australia, health education is compulsory for all students until they reach Year 10, after which it becomes an elective.
While many Australian schools are creating safer, more inclusive environments to facilitate these complex conversations, teachers can often be stretched to effectively deliver this vital education to students alongside an already crowded curriculum.
Through We Are W/M, Nicolette and Kate are on a mission to help schools and busy teachers deliver health education more effectively.
At We Are W/M, fostering positive change comes down to equipping young people with the right tools they need to navigate the complexities of relationships and sexual health.
“We can understand how scary it can be for young people to use their voice, particularly at school, as we were once in their shoes, which is why our consent education programs give young people tools to empower them to have these conversations.
“For example, we give young people those handy back pocket sentences that can help them get out of those uncomfortable situations. Just having those tools to help you talk it through and be prepared, is so important,” Nicolette said.
Each year, We Are W/M delivers five programs to schools across the state.
The programs are offered to both primary and secondary students and cover topics including consent, healthy relationships, online literacy and sex education.
“In high schools, we believe that positive sex education is important. The sessions are not about victim-blaming but rather creating a safe space to have honest conversations without judgement.
“Our sessions are very interactive, and we use a lot of storytelling. We give students autonomy over the entire session, because often they will have the answers but need that secure space to allow them to share their opinions freely without judgement,” Nicolette said.
The programs are carefully curated to provide a safe and inclusive space for all people to engage in open discussions and address the specific needs and challenges they may encounter in various stages of their life.
“We tailor each of our workshops according to the age of the year group and the type of education they need.
“For younger years, our workshops are often more focused on healthy friendships and how to be a supportive friend. Whereas for older students, we focus more on how to cultivate healthy romantic relationships and effective communication,” Nicolette said.
To date, the duo has reached more than 17,000 young people across Australia and worked with more than 90 organisations across WA.
This year, Nicolette was named BHP 2024 Young West Australian of the Year and Kate was a state finalist for 2024 Young Australian of the Year and named 2024 Young Citizen of the Year for their dedication to dismantling stigmas and sparking change through empowering young voices.
Despite their incredible impact in the community, the girls still have their moments of doubt.
“There are still moments when we think, why on earth are we doing this?
“However, we tend to balance each other out. For example, when I’m doubting an idea, Nicolette will often exclaim why we need to do it and vice versa,” Kate said.
Going forward, Kate and Nicolette are committed to ensuring We Are W/M continues.
“Since launching We Are W/M, many young people we’ve spoken to have told us they didn’t receive this type of education in high school, which further emphasises why the work we do is so important.
“The moment we see those thank you messages roll in from the young people we have been working with still blows our mind and reminds us that all the hard work and long nights are worth it,” Kate said.
Going forward, Nicolette & Kate hope to deliver a workplace program, educating staff about best workplace practices around relationships and culture.
“We would also love to do more rural trips up north, and in the long term would ideally love to have our programs run across the country,” Nicolette said.
Nicolette and Kate share their biggest advice for those who are graduating at the end of the year.
“If I can put myself into the shoes of someone who is finishing up their university degree and is unsure about their next steps or want to do something on their own, my biggest advice is to back yourself.
“At the end of the day, if you do the groundwork and back yourself then you will achieve so much, and it will all work out. It takes time to get to where you’re going and it’s important to understand that it’s completely normal,” Kate said.
1800RESPECT is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
Kate Raston and Nicolette Beard, Co-Founders of We Are W/M and Advocates for gendered violence prevention.
Dedicated to empowering young individuals, Curtin Health Promotion graduates Kate Raston and Nicolette Beard co-founded not for profit organisation, We Are W/M which is committed to delivering evidence-based relationships and sexuality education to all people. Since launching We Are W/M, the duo has featured in The Perth Business Podcast, ABC Radio, RTRFM, The West Australian and more. This year, Nicolette was named the BHP 2024 Young West Australian of the Year and Kate was a 2024 Young Australian of the Year Nominee and 2024 Young Citizen of the Year.
