The coordinators of a Sydney-based RESPECT project say they've seen positive results, including better attitudes towards female teachers, students and family members.
At a workshop at Wattawa Heights Public School in Sydney's west, boys in years five and six are tackling a big issue.
"They're humans, you treat them like how you would treat your brother or or your friend, or your best friend, or your mum or your dad."
"Absolutely excellent answer Miled!"
The RESPECT program teaches young students about fostering respectful relationships with women and girls, encouraging them to stand up against family violence.
It's an initiative of the Bankstown Youth Development Service and is federally funded through non-profit group The Smith Family.
Project Co-ordinator Craig Taunton says it aims to encourage students to have healthy relationships.
"When the boys leave here and go off into high school next year or whenever they do, and they start to have relationships themselves, start to have girlfriends or partners, that those relationships are healthy ones. That they treat their partner fairly or equally and they're not controlling or abusive. Ultimately that is what we'd like to see from these boys."
Over an eight week period, students workshop ideas, write lyrics and film a music video.
The RESPECT program started at Bankstown Public School a few years ago.
It's now run in 14 local schools.
Family violence campaigner Rosie Batty has lobbied for similar early intervention programs, to be set up in all schools.
Bankstown Public School Deputy Principal, Nahla Dennaoui, says there are benefits to targeting a younger age group.
"It has quite a big impact at a young age because some of our students they all come from different backgrounds, they may have seen violence out there in the community, you know they all come from different homes. And I think it's just a strong message and embedding that at a young age, and that respectful relationships focus is really important and I see that being carried on as they get older."
The students at Wattawa Heights Public School are only half way through their program.
10 year old Aaron and 11 year old Miled, say it has already had a big influence on them.
"Women should get their own rights, they should do whatever they want, and men shouldn't hit women."
"Now it's much better because I respect them even more and help them and everything."
