'Consent Education' Will Now Be Taught in Schools—Thanks To an Instagram Poll!

Trigger Warning: This article discusses sexual assault and rape.

Consent education has entered the (Australian Parliament) chat.

All it took was one Instagram poll for 23-year-old Sydney-sider, Chanel Contos, to decide a change had to be made.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by CHANEL ⋆ (@chanelc)

Senator Jonathan Duniam confirmed in the senate on Thursday that consent education would be incorporated into the Australian curriculum, following a petition started by Chanel in February 2021.

The petition began when she asked her followers if they or someone close to them had ever been sexually assaulted by an attendee of a private all-boys school.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by CHANEL ⋆ (@chanelc)

Within just 24 hours, more than 200 people had responded “yes”. Chanel quickly launched an online petition calling for earlier and more in-depth consent education in Australian schools.

Not only has the petition since gained a whopping 44,000 signatures, but over 6,600 people shared their testimonies and stories of sexual assault. It was a sign change was desperately needed and it couldn’t be ignored.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by CHANEL ⋆ (@chanelc)

Chanel speaks about her experience on the Teach Us Consent website she founded, saying “I have lived in three different countries and I have never spoken to anyone who has experienced rape culture the way me and my friends had growing up in Sydney amongst private schools.”

Shadow Education Minister Tanya Plibersek congratulated Chanel on Twitter for the outstanding achievement.

Understanding consent empowers and protects young people. Fantastic work @teachusconsent https://t.co/uKEdSNpsnl

— Tanya Plibersek (@tanya_plibersek) February 17, 2022

In terms of the curriculum plan, education ministers are set to meet in April for finalisation. It’s projected to be officially taught from the 2023 school year onwards.

It will aim to cover “comprehensive consent education”, including an understanding of gendered stereotypes, coercion and power imbalances.

With “unanimous agreement” across all jurisdictions that this was a much-needed decision, the landscape of sexual education in Australia is looking hopeful.

Are you experiencing sexual assault or seeking to support someone who is? Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

Visit ReachOut to get support to help you with everything from everyday issues through to tough times.

Header image: @chanelc via Instagram.