Activity details
Embedding the Justice Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences and Other Matters) Act 2022 to introduce an affirmative model of consent and provide better protections for victim-survivors of sexual offences.
This activity is part of a broader activity to support improved understanding, including by adolescents, of affirmative consent and raise awareness of sexual violence across the state.
Implementation progress update
The Justice Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences and Other Matters) Act 2022 implemented an affirmative consent model in Victoria. This provides better protections for victim-survivors of sexual offences, shifting the scrutiny from victim-survivors onto their perpetrators.
The model makes it clear that everyone has a responsibility to get consent before engaging in sexual activity. For their belief in consent to be reasonable, a person must have taken steps by saying or doing something to find out if the other person consents.
Following this Act, the Victorian Government is implementing the Supporting Young People to Understand Affirmative Consent Program. For more information see the related activity 'Supporting Young People to Understand Affirmative Consent Program'.
In addition, it is mandatory to deliver consent education in an age-appropriate way from Foundation to Year 12 in all Victorian government schools. This is stipulated in a Sexuality and Consent Education Policy and supported by Consent Education Guidance, which outlines how schools can use existing teaching resources to teach consent in an age-appropriate way.
More information
- Learn about the National Plan to End Violence against women and children 2022-2032.
- Read the First Action Plan 2023-2027.
- Browse the First Action Plan 2023-2027 Activities Addendum update.