The Australian government’s new campaign challenges us all to improve our understanding of consent. It asks a series of questions to illustrate this issue is than simplistic “no means no” messaging.
Authors
Giselle Natassia Woodley
Researcher and Phd Candidate, Edith Cowan University
Jacqueline Hendriks
Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer, Curtin University
The campaign invites viewers to consider , so we can raise these important issues with in our lives.
But what is a good age to start talking about consent? How do parents tackle such conversations when this information probably wasn’t readily discussed in our own upbringing?
How it starts – early childhood (0-5 years)
Small about consent that start early are best. At this age, children are becoming aware of their bodies, and this is a great basic conversations around , and boundaries.
If you’re tickling or rough-housing with your child and they ask you to stop, respect this. Similarly, you want your child to learn that the feelings of others.
We should also to a family member if they don’t feel comfortable. Teaching them to be polite and respectful without having to cross their own personal boundaries is key.
Bath time can also be a great setting to discuss how children’s bodies are and the basics of .
Childhood and primary school (6-11 years)
As children enter school, their social networks start to expand and the potential for conflict is inevitable. As parents, we can help them to and unpack more developed ideas around consent.
The focus at this stage should be to ensure young people have the necessary skills to and to engage respectfully with others. You may also want your child to recognise the and difference that exists in our society.
It’s important your child starts to learn about and . Body language can provide great insight into how another person might be feeling, and children can learn how to tune in and respect others as much as possible.
As your child starts to form a , help them identify and maintain their own personal boundaries. if someone is behaving or touching them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable helps develop skills to .
Finally, remember that young people begin to connect in online spaces too. Encourage your child to think critically about . Teaching children to can assist with too.
Adolescence and secondary school (12-18 years)
As we transition through the adolescent years, those foundations skills that first applied to relationships with friends and family, , where consent is important for .
If they haven’t already grasped the notion, it’s important for adolescents to understand that . People have the right to , even if it might be an activity they had previously agreed to.
Navigating sexual consent can be more complex than . Consent must be . Just because we are in a romantic relationship with someone, this does not mean we should be expected to engage in particular behaviours if they cross our boundaries.
Adolescents also need to understand that . Sometimes people won’t want to go on a date with us, to give us a kiss, or to engage in a particular sexual act and that’s OK. Encourage young people to , respect the wishes and boundaries of others, and be vigilant to and
Adolescents will also start to communicate regularly with peers online and may : to one another. Teach them to express and to be safe online and be .
Being accessible and inclusive
Consent can be complex, particularly for minority populations.
is a resource designed for .
The Sexuality Education Counselling and Consultancy Agency (SECCA) suitable for helping to navigate discussions with or people who require resources written in simple English.
The Rainbow Project has about consent for LGBTQI+ people.
Final tips for families
focusing on , and bodily autonomy. Consent conversations can build in an age-appropriate way and as children age.
While discussions should be age-appropriate where possible, it may be relevant to if need be too.
Communication about consent is best when it’s direct, free from judgement and maintains an open-dialogue. These discussions or uncomfortable but they are important. Homes are and it is important that your child sees you as an approachable and askable parent.
Education around consent , so it’s important to have these discussions .
Discussions around , , , as well as online safety such as can assist.
Giselle Natassia Woodley receives funding as part of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project Adolescents’ perceptions of harm from accessing online sexual content (DP 190102435). Giselle is also a founding member of not-for-profit advocacy group, Bloom-Ed who are committed to ensuring evidence-based Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is offered to all young people in their homes, schools and and communities.
Jacqueline Hendriks (she/her) is Project Lead of the Curtin University Relationships and Sexuality Education Project and is part of the Management Team for SiREN. She receives funding from the WA Department of Health (Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program) and various other Australian government and non-government organisations. They are a founding member of Bloom-ED, a collective action group to promote improved relationships and sexuality education throughout Australia, and is current Vice President of the Australian Association for Adolescent Health. Jacqui was engaged as a subject matter expert in the most recent revision of the Talk Soon. Talk Often resource that is mentioned in this article.
