Consent Education
As a parent, you’ve probably heard discussions about ‘consent’, but you may not know what it entails or how to introduce the topic to your child.
What is consent?
Consent refers to a person clearly and freely giving permission to participate in an activity, with full understanding of what is being asked. Consent must be given without pressure, coercion or manipulation, whether verbal or non-verbal. It must be explicit, informed and communicated clearly. In Catholic education, consent is understood as a fundamental expression of human dignity. It reflects respect for oneself and for others, and is relevant across a wide range of relationships and interactions, not only in sexual contexts but within friendships – classroom and online, supporting students to understand that consent is part of forming respectful, just and sage relationships grounded in the inherent dignity of every person.
Legislative Requirements
All Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) schools are required to deliver consent education and fully implement the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0. The Health and Physical Education and the Personal and Social Capability curricula provide the foundation for this learning.
Consent in Everyday Life
Although consent is often discussed in terms of older, romantic relationships, it is an important concept for children to learn from a very early age. Developing understanding about consent leads to healthier relationships with family, friends, and peers later in life.
In simple terms, consent is permission for something to happen or an agreement to do something involving your body. Even common everyday situations such as getting a haircut, visiting the doctor or allowing a coach to place their hands on your body to demonstrate technique, require consent. Respect and honest communication underpin the consent conversation.
The podcast, Let’s Talk About Consent, investigates how to introduce consent concepts with younger children.
Author of Welcome to Consent and practising physician Dr Melissa Kang says the conversation begins with giving children an understanding of their personal space and boundaries, as well as helping them to understand and identify the boundaries of others.
Consent education is also about helping children to recognise when a situation doesn’t feel comfortable. It also helps young people to understand that their bodies are their own and they have the right to make decisions about their body.
Speaking to children openly and honestly in an age-appropriate way, teaching them about private and public parts and using correct names is important. When children understand what is ‘okay’ touch and ‘not okay’ touch they are empowered to stay safe.
Parent Rebecca shares how she weaves consent teaching into everyday situations like playdates. We also hear from Life Ed Talk About It program senior educator Lane Norman, who is part of an expert team of educators who cover topics including puberty, sexual health, consent and respectful relationships.
So don’t put the consent talk in the too-hard basket any longer. Consent is an important conversation to have with young people, and when it’s all unpacked, it’s not as complicated as you might think.
Life Ed Australia. (2023, September 8). Let's Talk About Consent. https://lifeed.org.au/resources/parents/lets-talk-about-consent
Additional Support Resouces
South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence SECASA
03 9928 8741 Business hours
1800 806 292 - After hours