In partnership with basketball star Lauren Jackson and the University of Canberra Capitals, the YWCA is launching the Respect NOW campaign to get funding for the program to run in all public primary schools in the ACT.

Organisation executive director Frances Crimmins is seeking $200,000 annually in ongoing funding from the ACT government to deliver the program, which was cut in 2013 after 18 months of success.

The award-winning Respect, Communicate, Choose program is aimed at the primary prevention of violence by educating children about equality.

Jackson is supporting the campaign as a respect champion, someone committed to raising awareness of education to combat violence against women.

"Young people need to have access to information on respect and relationships," she said.

"It was something that was certainly lacking when I was growing up, and it's so important that we build these skills now to prevent violence in the future."

Ms Crimmins said the program needs to be seen as a priority in the ACT, to help prevent further instances of violence in the community.

"All of our resources and money goes towards helping people when they've been affected, but we need to address the cause of the violence," Ms Crimmins said.

"Consent, respect and understanding, that's what this program aims to teach."

Visit ywca-canberra.org.au/respectnowto sign the petition.