Funding for consent education has been given a $3.5 million boost to assist in reaching the goal of ending violence against women and children in one generation. will expand its work on educating people aged 16 years and above on sexual violence and consent, with funds allocated from the 2023-24 budget.The funds will go directly to the organisation to support the distribution of social media resources, which will aim to reduce violence through fostering positive attitudes and behaviours.
Social services minister Amanda Rishworth announces $3.5 million for consent education funding with Teach Us Consent founder Chanel Contos. (Nine)Social services minister Amanda Rishworth said you need age-appropriate resources to help people understand consent and healthy relationships."We know Australians are experiencing sexual violence at an alarming rate, particularly younger age groups, with one in five women having experienced sexual violence since the age of 15," Minister Rishworth said."Evidence shows that improving attitudes and understanding is a key method of prevention of sexual harm and violence."
Chanel Contos has become a leading voice and sex education activist. (Liliana Zaharia)She said this would ultimately reduce sexual violence among young people, who are more at risk of experiencing and perpetuating this kind of violence.Teach Us Consent founder Chanel Contos said there needed to be a holistic approach for consent education in Australia."I'm excited for Teach Us Consent to be able to amplify the work of experts and educators to build on the positive messages around consent and sexual violence that young people will receive in more formal settings," Contos said."Teach Us Consent has always been about bringing the voices of youth to the desks of policy makers."The creation of a youth-led expert advisory group will take this aspect of our work to the next level."
