Fams

3 June 2021

NSW schools to roll out sexual consent learning modules

NSW schools to roll out sexual consent learning modules

The NSW government is now developing school learning resources for sexual consent education and “respectful relationships”.

The heads of the NSW Catholic, independent and state school systems in March signed a statement of intent to improve consent education in schools, according to Yahoo News.

The move comes after more than 38,000 people signed a petition, started by former Sydney schoolgirl Chanel Contos, calling for earlier and better education around sexual consent in schools.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said in a statement on Sunday a new package of learning materials was currently in the works.

It includes “lesson sequences and stage-appropriate teaching activities” and is linked to the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education curriculum.

The government also this week announced reforms to NSW’s sexual consent laws that will make it easier to prosecute sexual assault cases.

Under the laws, accused rapists would only be able to prove sex was consensual if they took active steps to obtain consent.

The new legislation is hoped to be in place by the end of the year.