Make respect and consent part of every day
Consent and respectful relationships are often discussed in the context of sex and relationships education, but children and young people begin learning about these concepts long before conversations about sex begin.
Through everyday experiences with family, peers and communities, young people learn about communication, empathy, boundaries, respect and choice. The way those around them communicate, resolve conflict, navigate boundaries and respond to the needs of others shapes their understanding of what is considered acceptable behaviour – including consent.
Teaching children and young people about consent is not a single conversation about sex and relationships. It is part of everyday learning and involves supporting young people to:
express preferences
make age-appropriate choices
respect others' boundaries
listen to different perspectives
accept when someone says ‘no’.
In adolescence, these skills help young people navigate friendships, romantic relationships, online interactions, peer pressure and questions about sex. Developing these foundations can help prevent harm by strengthening their understanding of boundaries, respect, choice and the impact of their behaviour on others.
How this collection helps
The resources in this collection will help you create opportunities for young people to learn and practise respect, communication, boundaries and consent in their everyday lives. You'll find guidance, activities and conversation tools, including resources developed for and with diverse communities.
Resources for people working with young people
Guidance, activities and tools to support conversations and learning about respect, relationships and consent.
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Resources for sharing with young people
Information and activities to help young people build healthy relationships and understand consent.
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Resources for sharing with parents and carers
Practical resources to help parents and carers support learning about respect, boundaries and healthy relationships.
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Tailored for specific communities
Resources developed for and with diverse communities to support culturally safe, inclusive and accessible approaches to building respectful relationships and consent skills in young people.
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Parents and carers
If you’re a parent or carer seeking information or worrying about a behaviour, you're not alone. Find resources to help you understand child sexual development, support safety, and respond to concerns about sexual behaviour.
Children and young people
It’s normal to have questions about your body, feelings, sex and relationships. If you’re a young person looking for information – head here. We’ve got information just for you.