This week Australian sex education expert Deanne Carson sparked a debate on the topic of sexual consent after she suggested parents ask their children for permission before changing their diapers.
Carson, who works for an organization which teaches children about consent (something they aim to do as early as possible) appeared on Australia’s ABC news network to comment on Saxon Mullins (a rape case that’s sparked a national debate on sexual consent laws):
“We work with parents from birth…Just about how to set up a culture of consent in their homes. ‘I’m going to change your nappy now, is that OK?’ Of course a baby’s not going to respond ‘yes mum, that’s awesome I’d love to have my nappy changed’.
But if you leave a space and wait for body language and wait to make eye contact then you’re letting that child know that their response matters, she said.”1
(It was quite difficult to find a video from any country at all that didn’t think the idea of this wasn’t completely silly. So please don’t watch this video and hear me being political, I’m not trying to be.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ddg56GPgIo
After her interview brought critics out of the woodwork, Carson hit back on Facebook:
“Sadly, some people have chosen to ridicule me (oh no! Pink hair! Must be a lesbian!) and the notion of giving infants bodily autonomy (poo in nappies har har amiright?!) [sic].
It teaches children their rights AND their responsibilities and connects them with people who care and can help. It invites their parents into the discussion and is sensitive to cultural and family values.”3
However, Katie Russell, a spokesperson for the non-profit sexual violence organization Rape Crisis England and Wales, understood what Carson was trying to say and suggested that if we know child sexual abuse is so widespread, there should be nothing wrong with attempting to create a “culture of consent” where we respect and protect children as early as possible.
What do you think?
