Consent
Consent
Age of consent laws
Age of consent laws for each state in Australia from the Australian Government, Child Family Community Australia.
Because it's my body!
Topics: protective behaviours, child abuse prevention, bodily autonomy, safety, art.
Fiction
Focusing on empowerment and prevention, this approachable book gives young children a way to reject unwanted, possibly harmful physical contact by adults and other kids.
Age: 4 to 7 years.
Boy puberty: How to talk about puberty and sex with your tween boy
Non-fiction
For parents/carers of 9 to 13 year olds to help them talk to their sons about puberty and sex. Tells you what topics to cover and gives ideas on how to start conversations.
Dr Yes
The Australian Medical Association of Western Australia (AMA WA) Dr Yes project sends specially trained volunteer medical students into high schools to have frank, open discussions on topics concerning youth health including sexual health. Enquiries can be made through dryes@amawa.com.au
eSafeKids
eSafeKids educates, equips and empowers children and young people to have safe and positive experiences. eSafeKids support and inspire parents, carers, educators and other professionals to talk with children about Protective Behaviours, body safety, esafety, digital wellness and pornography. Services include: professional development, parent/carer and student workshops. Resources to teach: protective behaviours, body safety, consent, media literacy, digital wellness, cyber safety, pornography and more.
Everyone's got a bottom
A picture book to start conversations about public and private body parts, introducing the concept of protective behaviours. Written in a light and positive tone.
Family Planning NSW
Provides reproductive and sexual health services throughout NSW. Includes a section for teachers.
Family Planning Victoria (FPV)
Provides reproductive and sexual health services throughout Victoria. Includes a section on school programs.
From ‘no means no’ to ‘an enthusiastic yes’: Changing the Discourse on Sexual Consent Through Sex and Relationships Education
This book chapter presents findings from research with young people in England about their understandings of sexual consent. The study was carried out on behalf of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, as part of their two year inquiry into sexual exploitation in the contexts of gangs and groups.
Girl puberty: How to talk about puberty and sex with your tween girl
Topics: puberty
Non-fiction
For parents/carers of 9 to 13 year olds to help them talk to their daughters about puberty and sex. Explains what topics to cover and how to start conversations.
Age: Parents and teachers of children 9 to 13 years.
Let's talk about body boundaries, consent and respect
A 42 page picture book that teaches children about body boundaries, both theirs and others, and consent in relation to their personal space. Child friendly, providing scenarios for parents and trusted adults to discuss a child's growing sense of self with them.
Jayneen Sanders reads the book (13min 36sec – length of video) .
Let's talk about the birds and the bees
Non-fiction
Cartoon illustrated book for parents to read to children about differences between male and female reproductive systems, private body parts, sexual intercourse, love, puberty, what touching is ok/not ok, families. Simple facts as a starting point for conversations.
Book review by Cath Hak 6min (external link)
Age: Parents and teachers of 4 to 11 year olds.
Let's talk about where babies come from
Non-fiction
Comics and cartoons outlining: similarities and differences between girls and boys, growing up, reproductive organs, how babies are made, what sex is, what is love, same sex attraction, conception, pregnancy, different types of birth, genetics (e.g. hair colour), different kinds of families, keeping safe (consensual touch), HIV (but not other STI/BBVs). A book that parents/teachers can read to younger children, or older children can read themselves.
Book review by Cath Hak 4min 36sec.
Age: 7 to 11 years.
Mandatory Consent Education in Australia
Article that discusses the mandatory teaching of consent in Australian schools focusing on how consent is an integral part of all relationships but how education in schools must continue to develop and listen to young people in terms of how relationships are taught to students.
My body belongs to me
Fiction
A straightforward story of a young girl that was sexually abused by a friend's uncle. The young girl tells her mum and dad who help her. Explains that it is not her fault. A rhyming book.
My body belongs to me from my head to my toes
Fiction
A story that covers safe touch, personal space, types of touch, how to say no to unwanted touch, and how to tell someone if abuse has happened. Includes a letter to parents/carers.
My underpants rule!
Fiction
A story that explains to children that what is under your underpants is private. No one is allowed to touch private parts and how to say no.
National Association for Prevention of Child abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN)
NAPCAN's strategy is to support and encourage changes in individual and community behaviour to stop child abuse and neglect before it starts by: promoting quality child abuse prevention research; advocating for child safe policies and strategies, coordinating National Child Protection Week and promoting the Play Your Part strategy; demonstrating good practice; supporting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
No means no!
Fiction
A story about bodily autonomy, personal space, consent and protective behaviours.
Not as simple as 'no means no': what young people need to know about consent
A news article from The Conversation written by Jacqui Hendriks from Curtin University.