Tiffany Karlsson from the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre joined AJ and Alison on The Real Radio Show to shed light on the evolving conversation around consent and changes to the laws in the ACT, with recent legislative changes introducing a clear legal definition of affirmative consent.
Consent, as Tiffany explained, means a clear, voluntary, and enthusiastic agreement to engage in sexual activity. It must be mutual, ongoing, and can be withdrawn at any time. “Consent must be ongoing and it must be mutual and it must be in all sexual activity, it can’t be presumed,” she said. The new laws aim to eliminate ambiguity, making it clear that silence, freezing, or lack of resistance do not equal consent.
Tiffany also discussed the ACT Government’s new education campaign, which aims to make affirmative consent relatable across diverse relationships. “We wanted it to be inclusive… so that people could see themselves in those ads,” she said, noting the campaign’s effort to reflect the range of emotional and physical responses people may have when feeling unsafe.
If you’d like more information on consent and consent laws in the ACT you can visit the ACT Government’s website. You can access support through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre hotline on 02 6247 2525 (7am – 11pm, Monday – Sunday) and find additional resources on their website.
And, if this topic has raised any issues for you or you’re looking for support, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Listen to the full conversation below: