The Department or Communities and Justice is empowering young people to check consent before engaging in sexual activity with the launch of the third phase of its Make No Doubt campaign.
Welcoming the campaigns launch, Attorney General Mark Speakman said it supported new consent laws which came into effect today (1 June).
“Our consent law reforms commence six months after assent to give police and the courts time to implement them, including through training, educative materials, and technical updates,” Mr Speakman said.
“These reforms make it clear that if you want to engage in sexual activity with someone, then they need to do or say something to show consent or you need to do or say something to seek consent.”
He said the reforms were not only about holding perpetrators to account, but changing social behaviour.
Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Natalie Ward said the Department had produced four 15-second videos for the campaign following nine months of consultation with numerous stakeholders, including sexual violence service providers and community groups.
“Through a series of short videos on targeted social and digital media, this campaign will empower young people to check consent every time they engage in sexual activity,” Ms Ward said.
“This important initiative will build on our work to address harmful attitudes that continue to contribute to non-consensual sexual activity and sexual assault, particularly among young people aged 16 to 24.”
Make No Doubt debuted in 2018 and followed up with a second phase in 2019, Ms ward said the current phase of the campaign would run for 12 weeks.
If this story raises concern for you, help and counselling is available, from people trained to help those who have experienced sexual assault, from NSW Rape Crisis on 1800 424 017; 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732; and Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491.
