Consent classes must be carefully constructed
March 18, 2021 12.03am
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Great suggestions from Fiona Martin for teaching protective behaviours at preschool age and consent education in Year 7 (“Start consent classes by year 7: Liberal MP”, March 17). It will take more than inserts into the existing curriculum, however. Barriers such as funding for teacher training (not synthetic online courses), education of resistant elements in the community and a general acceptance of gender role education need to happen before all teachers feel confident to teach such necessary but controversial issues.
Vanessa Tennent, Oatley
As a former teacher, I can assure Martin that lessons taught at school cannot override lessons learnt at home, which begin long before formal schooling starts. Without appropriate role models and environment in the home, the effectiveness of lessons at school about consent, or bullying for that matter, will not overcome the serious socia