I recently had the pleasure and the privilege of speaking at the ACHPER QLD State Secondary Conference in front of an audience of 90+ health and physical education teachers.
I discussed how Australian students have long identified significant shortcomings in their sexuality education, describing it as inadequate and lacking in essential topics.
I also critiqued the affirmative consent model currently taught in many Australian schools, arguing that it fails to consider the sexual socialisation and practices of young people, the impact of alcohol, the role of online pornography, and the complexities of consent cues.
I queried the teachers in the room about what they though contributed to the significant number of high school students who report experiencing at least one instance of unwanted sex.
Unsurprisingly, the teachers were able to articulate the four major contributing factors:
- Alcohol and other substances
- Peer pressure
- Pressure from a partner
- Lack of knowledge/skills around consent
If for these very reasons that we need to be talking to young people about their sexual socialisation and practices, the impact of alcohol, the role of online pornography, and the complexities of consent cues. Thankfully, the majority of teachers present agreed with this.
I will also speaking at the upcoming ACHPER QLD Primary Teachers Online Workshop on September 5th.
Beginning with the fact that research consistently demonstrates that primary school students benefit from quality Comprehensive Sexuality Education, I will be sharing why age-appropriate and developmentally-appropriate approaches to Respectful Relationships and Sexuality Education for today’s young people must include relevant topics such as online safety and digital wellbeing.
Similar to the presentation at the State Secondary Conference, I will be arguing that the consent model currently taught in many Australian schools is inadequate as it fails to consider the nuances of young people’s lives or address the role of online environments.
If you're interested in joining me for this important session to learn strategies to address these limitations, register here.
What you’ll walk away with:
- An understanding of psychosexual development
- An awareness of students’ online behaviour and accompanying risks
- Strategies for addressing the topic of consent withs students
- Suggestions for school-based Respectful Relationships and Sexuality Education
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