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Understanding Consent Laws

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Understanding Consent Laws

Read the information and scenarios carefully. You do not need to share personal experiences. Laws can depend on the circumstances and may change; this worksheet gives general information, not legal advice. If you are worried about someone’s safety, speak with a trusted adult or contact a support service.

Consent: the essentials

Consent means a person freely and clearly agrees to a specific activity. It must be voluntary, informed and ongoing. Someone can change their mind at any time. Silence, pressure, a past relationship or agreement to something else is not consent. A person may be unable to consent if they are asleep, unconscious or so affected by alcohol or other drugs that they cannot understand what is happening or communicate a choice. In Australia, the age of consent is generally 16 in most states and territories, but it is 17 in South Australia and Tasmania. Queensland’s general age of consent is 16. Specific rules and exceptions can apply, including rules about authority figures, close-in-age situations and other circumstances. The law can be complex, so seek current advice from a qualified service rather than relying on a single age rule. Sharing an intimate image without consent can cause serious harm and may break the law. Do not forward, save or post an image you receive. If an intimate image involving someone under 18 is involved, do not copy or share it; get help from a trusted adult or appropriate support service.

Check your understanding

Use the information above. Choose the best answer unless the question says otherwise.

1.Which statement best describes consent?

It is freely given, informed, specific and can be withdrawn.
It is assumed when two people are dating.
It applies to every activity once someone has agreed once.

2.True or false: If a person agreed yesterday, they have also agreed today.

TrueFalse

3.Layla is unsure whether a friend is comfortable with a hug. What is the most respectful next step?

Ask clearly and accept the answer without pressure.
Hug them quickly before they can respond.
Assume they want a hug because they are friends.

4.Complete the sentence: Consent can be withdrawn at any time, including an activity has started.

5.A person at a party is so affected by alcohol that they cannot understand what is happening or communicate a choice. Can they give valid consent in that moment? Explain briefly.

6.A friend receives an intimate image of another young person in a group chat. Name two safe actions the friend should take.

7.In Australia, what is the general age of consent in Queensland?

8.Why is it not enough to rely on a single age-of-consent number when trying to understand a real situation in Australia?

9.Read the message: “If you cared about me, you’d say yes. I’ll share your private messages if you don’t.” Is this a freely given choice? Give one reason.

10.Write one respectful phrase someone could use to check consent, and one phrase they could use to show they will respect a “no.”

11.Name two places or people a young person in Australia could approach for help with a consent or safety concern.