EMPOWERING WELLNESS
Navigating Consent: Empowering Parents and Students through Knowledge and Conversation
By Vicky Fraanje (Vice Principal)
Earlier this week, we partnered with Elephant Ed to host a webinar focused on the crucial subject of Consent. This event was designed for our parent community, catering to students in the age range of Years 5 to 12. Consent is an inherently sensitive and multifaceted topic, and as mentioned by participants can be described as both awkward and necessary, as well as being of paramount importance and occasionally bewildering.
During the webinar, we delved into various aspects of consent, including its legal dimensions, the concept of age of consent, and the principles underpinning sexual consent. Sexual consent, as was emphasised, must embody key attributes such as being freely given, informed, continuous, mutual, enthusiastic, specific, and reversible. We also provided insights and information concerning safe partying practices, the impact of pornography, and the complexities of sexting. These subjects, though potentially uncomfortable to address, are vital to discuss with our children in a manner suitable for their age and comprehension level.
Despite not being affiliated with any faith based organisation, the information presented was objective, factual, and well-informed. As parents it is now up to us to convey this information in a manner consistent with our own faith and belief systems.
In terms of practical advice and strategies for approaching these discussions with our children, the following recommendations were made:
1. Talk Early and Often
2. Avoid Fear Tactics
3. Use Teachable Moments
4. Be Aware and Informed
5. Model Behavior
To further assist parents in addressing these crucial conversations, we recommend accessing the following practical resources:
*eSafety Commissioner - eSafety parents and carers*
*Kids Helpline – What is Consent?*
*Australian Government - respect.gov.au*
These resources offer valuable information and support to help parents navigate the essential discussions surrounding consent with their children. In an ever-changing world, it is our duty to equip our children with the knowledge and understanding they need to navigate relationships and boundaries in a respectful and informed manner.
WELLBEING RESOURCES
We know that it can sometimes be hard to find the necessary resources in relation to mental health, bullying and family violence, especially when things are tough. For this reason, the School has a small webpage with links related to health and wellbeing resources. This can be found on the School's website under Other Resources or can be found here.