The Department of Education is to investigate whether the subject of sexual consent and reporting is being adequately addressed in schools.
Minister for Education, Grace Grace said the move followed continuing reports by young people of their experiences in State and non-Government schools.
“Young Queenslanders have been sharing their personal stories of disturbing behaviour, including sexual violence, during and after their school years,” Ms Grace said.
“It is a responsibility of parents, carers and society more broadly to educate and support young people in addressing issues of sexual harassment, assault and consent.”
She said compulsory respectful relationship education had been introduced into State schools in response to the Not Now, Not Ever report of the Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland.
“I have asked the Director-General of my Department to work across the non-Government and State education sectors, P&Cs and school communities to explore whether current Australian curriculum and respectful relationships education adequately address all issues, including consent and reporting,” Ms Grace said.
“Queensland has a strong record of stepping up on issues affecting our young people, including acting on cyber-bullying and domestic and family violence.”
She said the education measures would include examining respectful relationships education to ensure it adequately addressed sexual consent and reporting.
“The Department will also examine the Australian Curriculum to ensure the health and physical education curriculum is addressing the needs of students in relation to these issues,” the Minister said.
“It will also seek the views of young people on respectful relationship education through the Minister’s Student Advisory Council,” she said.
