Victorian schools could start classes warning students about dangers of porn

Victorian school students could soon be learning about the dangers of pornography, in an effort to teach teenagers about respect and the realities of relationships.

The Victorian Department of Education is developing lessons on the impact of pornography on relationships for students in year 10, amid concerns students are being bombarded with images of violent sex in advertising and video games, the Herald Sun reports.

Yesterday, the Royal Commission into Family Violence heard from Department Secretary Gill Callister that the classes would not involve pornography itself, but rather the sexualised images seen in public on billboards.

"It's very much about trying to deconstruct ... some of those media images of sexualised images of women, particularly the connection to power, the connection to relationships," she said.

Ms Callister said research had shown exposure to violent pornography, in easy ways such as social media, had shaped how young people viewed sex and relationships, and could even exacerbate disturbing behaviours.

The lessons would be taught in nearly 20 schools as part of a respectful relationships pilot program, provided it is given the go-ahead from the state government.

Ms Callister told the Royal Commission that one in three year eight and nine students had attitudes that supported or excused family violence.

Australian of the Year and family violence campaigner Rosie Batty told the Royal Commission yesterday that schools had an important role in educating students about the harms of pornography and violence, often found in video games.

Ms Batty is pushing for respectful relationships education in all schools in every state and territory, starting from kindergarten.

The murder of her 11-year-old son Luke last year at the hands of her ex-husband is considered the major catalyst of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.