Abstract
Federal Labor Senator Nita Green has recently moved to establish a Senate inquiry into sexual consent laws.
These are the laws that describe how sexual consent is defined for rape and sexual assault offences. In Australia, these definitions differ across the states and territories, which causes inconsistencies and confusion, as well as complexities in sexual consent education.
The varying definitions create a situation where victims are protected differently depending on what jurisdiction they live in. This makes it challenging to send clear and unambiguous messages about what the law requires in sexual encounters.
One focus of the inquiry would be to look at whether there are benefits to aligning, or harmonising, the definitions across Australia.
These are the laws that describe how sexual consent is defined for rape and sexual assault offences. In Australia, these definitions differ across the states and territories, which causes inconsistencies and confusion, as well as complexities in sexual consent education.
The varying definitions create a situation where victims are protected differently depending on what jurisdiction they live in. This makes it challenging to send clear and unambiguous messages about what the law requires in sexual encounters.
One focus of the inquiry would be to look at whether there are benefits to aligning, or harmonising, the definitions across Australia.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Specialist publication | The Conversation |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Dec 2022 |