ABOUT US

Love Bites is a well-established national respectful relationships and consent education
program created by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN).
 
The Love Bites and Love Bites Junior Respectful Relationships Education programs are for students aged between 11 and 17 years. 

Love Bites has been facilitated in schools and Alternate Learning Environments across Australia since 2004, and on the Central Coast of New South Wales since 2008.

Love Bites has also been adapted so it can be delivered in out-of-school settings, such as alternative school programs, school support units, Juvenile Justice programs and
youth holiday programs.

The Love Bites program promotes a clear, consistent community approach to the issues of Relationship Violence from workers and teachers in local communities.

Learn more about our programs

Our Difference

Student centered

Love Bites workshops are delivered differently. We provide a safe environment for students to  engage in peer led discussions and interactive activities where they are able to reflect on the content and develop the skills to have healthy respectful relationships. Love Bites takes a strength-based approach and views young people as active participants who are able to make choices for themselves and their relationships when supported with information and opportunity for
skill development. This approach is what has always set Love Bites apart and what maintains its relevance in the landscape of recent changes to the mandatory national consent education curriculum.

Community Collaboration

Love Bites is designed with a community-centric focus, engaging professionals with expertise in domestic and family violence casework, youth work, social work, mental health, teaching, police, youth justice, sexual and reproductive health, and art therapy.

This whole of community approach ensures that young people are connected to a diverse range of support services available on the Central Coast, providing guidance post-program completion. Recognising the sensitive nature of topics such as consent and domestic and family violence, our facilitation approach has proven to be highly successful.

 

No cost to schools

Love Bites receives funding from the Department of Social Services as part of the National Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and Children, supplemented by community donations. We are committed to providing respectful relationships and consent education to all young people, irrespective of gender, race, religion, disability, or economic status. This program operates without charges because we recognise the practical challenges faced by many schools and community organizations in affording external providers. We firmly believe that no student should be deprived of essential education due to financial constraints.

98% of students think Love Bites is of Value to young people

98% of students felt confident that they know when a relationship is unhealthy and abusive after completing the program

Students rated it an average of 8.4/10

After finishing the program, 96% of the students expressed confidence in knowing where to seek help for a relationship issue for themselves or a friend.


What do our students think?

Year 12, Wyong High School

"Thank you for being kind, talking AND listening and addressing certain topics from a sensitive and human perspective"

Year 9, TLK

"10/10 experience"

Year 10, Mackillop Catholic College

"It was great! They didn’t shut down any questions (silly or not)"

Year 10, Henry Kendall High School

"It was good to have a lesson to understand what domestic violence is and how bad it really is"

Year 7, Terrigal

"This program should be delivered in all schools!"

Year 10, TLSC Tumbi Umbi Campus

"Thanks for giving me the confidence to speak up"

Year 10, Central Coast Grammar School

"The facilitators were really fun and relateable"


Year 10, St Josephs Catholic College

"It was really hands on, I loved the art and the lollies"

Year 12, Wyong High School

"Thank you for being kind, talking AND listening and addressing certain topics from a sensitive and human perspective"

Year 9, TLK

"10/10 experience"

Year 10, Mackillop Catholic College

"It was great! They didn’t shut down any questions (silly or not)"

The program's success on the Central Coast can be attributed to the collaborative community partnerships established to facilitate Love bites in our region. Love Bites Central Coast is based out of Coast Shelter and benefits from the support of a program advisory group and facilitators from partner organisations. 

Coast Shelter, a not-for-profit charity on the NSW Central Coast, is dedicated to providing accommodation and support programs for those experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or escaping domestic and family violence. Taking on the role of the lead agency for the Love Bites Central Coast program in 2016, Coast Shelter aligns its mission with ending homelessness and domestic and family violence.

More about Coast Shelter
 Love Bites Central Coast acknowledges the continual support received from the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN), who are the owners and authors of the Love Bites and Love Bites Junior Programs. Find out more about them here. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does Love Bites cost?

    The Love Bites program runs at no cost to schools or community organisations. We will come and deliver the program, provide facilitators, resources, and art supplies free of charge. 

  • How long does the program go for?

    The most popular delivery mode of Love Bites for an entire year group is over one full school day. Alternatively for smaller groups of 30 and under we can provide a multisession approach run over 8 weeks. 

  • Who are the facilitators?

    Our facilitators are professionals in the community services sector with specialised expertise in engaging with young people and addressing topics related to relationship violence and consent. For additional details about our facilitation approach, please visit our Facilitation page under the "Get Involved" tab.

  • Can you cater to the specific needs of our school?

    Yes, if there are particular topics that are currently an issue within a school or particular year group we can highlight these during the program.

  • Where are you based?

    Love Bites Central Coast is based on the Central Coast of New South Wales Australia. We deliver to schools within the Central Coast School district spanning from Brisbane Waters Secondary to Lake Munmorah High School.

  • Do you deliver to both public and private schools? What about community organisations?

    Yes, we deliver to both public and private schools including religious schools. We can also deliver the program to communtiy organisations such as job providers, disability support providers , communtiy centers, and homeschool groups.