Here's Why the Government's Milkshake Consent Video Is Copping So Much Backlash

Trigger warning: this article discusses sexual assault and violence.

This week, the Aussie government released an educational campaign to help inform high school aged students on consent, sexual assault and relationships.

For several months now, Australia and many other parts of the world have been in the middle of an enormous women’s rights movement.

The Australian movement in particular was brought on due to the revelation of several sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and harassment allegations within the Australian government and Parliament House. 

Since former liberal party staffer Brittany Higgins came forward with her personal story in February, eyes were on the federal government and Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison to put an end to the sexist and violent behaviours, and do more to support women in their fight for equality.

Around the same time, former Sydney school student Chanel Contos started a petition to include consent in sexual ed classes. In just a few hours, the petition also revealed that over 2,000 girls in Australian schools had experienced sexual assault or rape.

Because of all this, it was pretty clear that the government had to step in and do something to help educate young people on consent and sexual assault.

Unfortunately, it looks like their newest $7.9 million campaign, ‘Respect Matters’ with The Good Society has not only missed the mark but also perpetuates several incorrect messages about this important topic.

So, let’s break it down.

Like, teenagers are aware of what sex is? You can just say sex. Surely you would think that when trying to stop people from committing rape and sexual assault, we could just use the words.

— Matilda Boseley (@MatildaBoseley) April 19, 2021

What is the campaign?

This new campaign is essentially an online resource for teachers and parents to help educate students of all ages about respectful relationships.

However, one of the videos is receiving a lot of flack for being completely out of touch and confusing.

The video in question—aimed at students in Year 10 to 12—tells the, uh, convoluted story of a young woman smearing a milkshake all over her boyfriend's face as a representation of ignoring consent.

In the video there is also a complicated discussion on something that the campaign calls an ‘action zone’ and moving the line (also known as someone imposing their will on you).

Clear as mud, right?

The lengthy six-minute video also discusses several situations on how the perpetrator and the victim can move forward after such an imposition, but it misses a few steps.

On top of this, the campaign also features several other similar clips, one in which a boy is eating a taco to represent that people are not objects. Another shows a woman being forced to swim at the beach even though she is afraid of sharks.

Also, why is everyone and everything dressed like it's 1950? Is that what the government think young people look like?

What’s wrong with the videos?

So, if you’ve already watched any of these videos (or even just read our description above) you probably already know why they're dodgy, but let’s break it down. 

Its message is unclear.

Firstly, the milkshake video seems to suggest that the act of smearing the drink is representative of the woman's boyfriend forcing her to have sex, but it's not entirely clear. 

Not only does the video fail to obviously convey their main message, but it doesn’t actually mention consent or sex at all.

For high school students who already know what sex is and need explicit and clear explanations on what’s right and wrong, this video definitely misses the mark. 

I spent three days digging through the government's website. I watched every video. I read all of the accompanying materials.

I cannot work out what the milkshakes, tacos or sharks are supposed to represent. And I run an org called "End Rape on Campus Australia". https://t.co/sshajJPAkk

— Sharna Bremner (@sharnatweets) April 19, 2021

It overcomplicates it.

One of the main problems with the milkshake video (and there are a lot) is that it introduces viewers to a lot of new terms that I’ve never even heard of before, like ‘action zone’ and ‘moving the line’.

It goes about explaining consent and sexual assault in a mind-boggling way, and if I struggled to keep up, how can high school students be expected to understand?

It focuses on maintaining relationships.

The messages in this video get even worse when it reaches a point about whether or not you should maintain your relationship with an abuser.

“In a respectful relationship, if someone moves the line, you might be upset but ultimately want to repair the situation,” the video says.

“If a relationship is fundamentally disrespectful, you have even more difficult choices. Should you still try to repair the relationship, get help, or just walk away?”

This implies that not only is it worth trying to repair the relationship with an abuser, but that it’s the victims responsibility to do so.

Unfortunately, this is reinforced when the girlfriend—who in this case is the abuser—is the only person offered support through 1800 RESPECT, while the boyfriend—who was abused—gets nothing.

Don’t know who in government needs to hear this but: teenagers know what sex is! They’ll listen if you treat them like equals, not if you condescend to them in gibberish about tacos and milkshakes

— Joshua Badge (@joshuabadge) April 19, 2021

It features a woman as the abuser.

Finally, the last point of concern that has been pointed out is that the perpetrator—at least in this case—is a woman.

While it’s important to acknowledge that women can be abusers and men can of course be victims, the entire need for a campaign like this is due to the mistreatment of women by men.

In fact, 97 per cent of sexual assault offenders recorded by police during 2018 – 2019 were men. 

By swapping the roles in this message, it undermines its importance and why it was necessary in the first place.

Many people online have heavily criticised this campaign for the reasons listed above, pointing out that using analogy and inuendo isn’t the best way to get through to young people.

"You can't teach the logistics of sex talking about the 'birds and the bees' and you can't teach the intricacies of consent using milkshakes," Ms Contos wrote on her Instagram story.

"That video is belittling to Australian youth and was clearly not expert informed. I know what consent is and I am confused by the message." 

Australian of the Year and advocate for survivors of sexual abuse Grace Tame said the video is "problematic in so many ways."

"I think it’s just insulting to the intelligence of everyone, not just adults, but to children as well," she told the ABC's The Drum program on Monday night. 

“It also minimises the experience of rape trauma, it fails to really address the nuances of this complex issue of consent. I think this is just indicative of poor leadership, of a poor understanding of how serious this issue is."

As of Tuesday afternoon, the government removed two of the problematic videos from The Good Society website, including the infamous milkshake clip.

If you would like a more straightforward explanation on what consent is, you can learn a bit more about it here.

Are you experiencing suicidal thoughts, sexual assault or domestic and family violence? 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: The Good Society