WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TEACHING CONSENT TO KIDS OF ALL AGES
0What parents need to know about teaching consent to kids of all ages
In 2021 when former student. Chanel Contos asked young Australian women on Instagram if they or someone they knew had been sexually assaulted when they were at school. the response was overwhelming. Within the first 24 hours. more than 200 people replied ‘yes’. and as accounts kept coming. Contos launched a petition for consent to be included in the school curriculum a petition that has now garnered almost 45.000 signatures. Kellie Sloane from Life Ed Australia discusses consent in the video player above Watch The Morning Show on Channel 7 and stream it for free on 7plus As a result. both state and federal ministers have now agreed to enshrine consent education in the curriculum. and it is set to be taught in our schools from next year onwards. Chief executive officer of Life Ed Australia. Kellie Sloane joined The Morning Show to explain how consent is being taught. “Some people are confused about the definition but quite simply consent is freely. and that’s the important word. freely saying that you’re OK with sexual activity. “Now. that can’t be coerced and you’re allowed to change your mind. “It’s been difficult (to define) and in some states. the laws are all different as well. that’s an added complication. but you need to give verbal consent. it can’t just be assumed.” she explained. With consent education beginning at kindergarten and going right through until Year 12. Sloane said content would depend on the age of the students. “It’s about (being) age appropriate. understanding of respectful relationships. about your privacy and what that means for you. “How to understand those feelings in your body as a little kid when something doesn’t feel right and how to respectfully say ‘no’.” she said. When it comes to parents discussing consent with their own children. Sloane said the best tactic was “having those conversations often and early”. “Make home a space (for that conversation) and essentially that means kids can come and talk to you about their feelings. and the hardest thing you’re going to have to do as a parent is not judge. not try to correct them. not try to tell them what the right course is. but to ask them ‘How did you feel when that happened? Do you think that was the right choice?’ “And start having those very gentle and safe conversations. It has to happen naturally. if you see something happen on the TV where someone’s treated poorly. ask your little kid. ‘how do you think they felt. what would you do differently. how would you say no?’ she said. When it comes to normalising safe behaviours for children even when they are still preschoolers. Sloane suggested some practical ways to help introduce children to the concept of consent. “In a practical sense. it’s if you don’t want to be hugged by your uncle you don’t have to have the hug. it’s OK to nicely say no.” she said. “That’s the thing about permission that is important as well. it’s OK if your friend is sad and they don’t want a hug from you. you can nicely walk away and that’s still OK. “Personal boundaries if you’re having funny feelings about your body then it’s OK to say no. you don’t have to be polite the whole time.” she said.
#news