Teaching respectful relationships and consent in school

Teaching consent really needs an ongoing conversation – one that requires trust, age-appropriate resources, and a willingness to sit with some uncomfortable topics. For secondary school teachers, the challenge isn’t just covering the content; it’s creating a classroom environment where students feel safe enough to genuinely engage with it.

In Australia, consent education has received significant attention in recent years. Following the Australian Government’s national curriculum reforms, respectful relationships education now sits firmly within Health and Physical Education (HPE) across all states and territories. But putting this into practice – in a way that resonates with young people – takes more than reading from a textbook.

These practical, video-based activities that make these conversations easier to start and more meaningful for students.

Seven practical activities for teaching consent

1) Define consent as a class

Before diving into scenarios and case studies, it’s worth taking time to establish a shared understanding of what consent actually means. You might be surprised by the range of definitions students come up with – and that’s exactly the point.

Start by asking students to write their own definition of consent on a sticky note or digital whiteboard. Collect and group the responses, then watch the ClickView video Consent from the Behind the Scenes of Respectful Relationships series (Years 7–10, six minutes). This video explores the concept of consent and its role in relationships.

After viewing, revisit the class definitions and refine them together. Some discussion prompts to guide the conversation:

• How does consent apply outside of romantic or sexual situations?
• What’s the difference between saying “yes” because you want to and saying “yes” because you feel like you have to?
• Why might someone find it difficult to say “no”?

For a deeper exploration with older students (Years 7–12), follow up with Saying Yes or No: What Is Consent? from the Amaze series, which unpacks the nuances of giving and withdrawing consent in everyday language.

2) Explore how consent is communicated

Consent isn’t just about the words people say – it’s also about body language, tone, context, and power dynamics. This activity helps students recognise the difference between enthusiastic consent and reluctant compliance, both face-to-face and online.

Begin with a brief role-play exercise. Give pairs of students a set of everyday scenarios (borrowing someone’s belongings, posting a photo of a friend, choosing what to watch together) and ask them to act out both a clear “yes” and an ambiguous response. What does each look like? How do you tell the difference? What do respectful responses look like for both people in the scenario?

Then screen Consent and Communication (Years 7–9, two minutes) to reinforce how consent is communicated verbally and non-verbally.

Follow this with a class discussion:

• What are some non-verbal cues that someone isn’t comfortable?
• How does context change whether something counts as consent?
• What role does technology play in how consent is communicated today?
• How can you verify that a digital message of consent really came from the person you think it did?

3) Unpack consent and the law

Students often have a hazy understanding of where the legal lines sit. This activity grounds the conversation in real legal frameworks so students understand that consent isn’t just a social concept; it carries legal weight.

Screen Understanding Sexual Consent and the Law (Years 7–10, three minutes). This short video from the Amaze series explains age of consent laws and what makes consent legally valid.

After viewing, try a “myth vs. fact” activity:

• Prepare a set of statements about consent law (for example, “Silence means consent,” “You can withdraw consent at any time,” “If you’re in a relationship, consent is automatic”, “Consent laws are the same in every country and state”.).
• Students sort them into “myth” or “fact” and justify their answers.
• Use the discussion to clarify common misconceptions and connect back to your state or territory’s specific legislation.

For a broader look at how consent education is landing with young Australians, Is Consent Education Working? from BTN High (Years 7–10, eight minutes) features teenagers sharing their perspectives. It’s a powerful way to show students they’re part of a national conversation.

4) Discuss pressure, coercion, and boundaries

What happens when someone says “yes” but doesn’t really mean it? This is where consent conversations get more complex – and more important. Students need to understand that coercion, peer pressure, and power imbalances all undermine genuine consent.

Watch What If I Feel Pressured to Have Sex? from The Most Embarrassing Sex Questions in History series (Years 7–10, six minutes). The video addresses pressure in relationships in a frank, age-appropriate way.

After viewing, use a continuum activity:

• Place signs reading “Clearly consent” and “Clearly not consent” at opposite ends of the room, with “Grey area” in the middle.
• Read out a series of scenarios and ask students to physically move to the position on the continuum that reflects their view.
• Pause after each scenario to hear from students at different points. Why did they choose that spot? What would change their mind?

This physical movement makes the activity engaging and gives quieter students a way to participate without having to speak up immediately. It also surfaces the reality that these situations aren’t always black and white – which is exactly why respect is so important.

5) Examine digital consent and image sharing

For today’s students, so much of their social lives plays out on screens. That means consent education needs to address the digital world just as seriously as face-to-face interactions. Sexting, sharing intimate images, and online privacy are topics that feel immediately relevant to secondary students – and that relevance makes them powerful teaching moments.

Start with a think-pair-share: “What does consent look like online? Is it different from consent in person?” Give students a few minutes to discuss in pairs before opening it up to the class.

Then watch What Is Sexting? from The Most Embarrassing Sex Questions in History (Years 7–12, six minutes), which covers the basics of sexting and its risks.

For senior students (Years 11–12), follow up with Sharing Intimate Images from the Behind the Scenes of Respectful Intimate Relationships series (six minutes). This video examines the legal and personal consequences of sharing intimate images without consent.

Some discussion questions to extend the learning:

• If someone sends you an image, does that give you permission to share it?
• What are the legal consequences of sharing intimate images in Australia?
• How can you support a friend who’s had their images shared without consent?
• How can we be sure that the person we are texting is who they say they are?

For classes ready for a longer, more in-depth exploration, the documentary series Asking For It (Years 9–12) provides a confronting look at consent culture in Australia and makes an excellent extended viewing and discussion task.

6) Identify and respond to harassment and violence

Understanding consent also means understanding what happens when it’s violated. This activity helps students recognise forms of sexual harassment and assault, distinguish between them, and consider how they and others might respond.

Begin by watching Sexual Assault, Consent and Sexual Harassment: What’s the Difference? from the Amaze series (Years 8–11, three minutes). This video clearly defines and differentiates these terms.

After viewing, try a collaborative sorting activity:

• Provide groups with a set of scenario cards describing different behaviours (unwanted comments, physical intimidation, catcalling, coerced physical contact, online harassment).
• Students sort them into categories: sexual harassment, sexual assault, or neither.
• Groups then discuss: What would you do if you witnessed this? What would you want someone to do if it happened to you?

To extend this for Years 7–10, Sexual Harassment from the Behind the Scenes of Respectful Relationships series (six minutes) provides further context, while Straight Talk about Sexual Harassment (Years 7–12, 18 minutes) encourages students to reflect on the cultural messages that shape attitudes toward harassment.

For senior students exploring these themes in greater depth, Defining Sexual Assault (Years 9–12, 31 minutes) and Domestic Violence (Years 7–10, six minutes) provide comprehensive, sensitive explorations of these topics.

7) Analyse consent in popular films

Pop culture is a goldmine for consent conversations. Students already watch and discuss films with their peers – so why not bring that energy into the classroom? Analysing how consent plays out on screen helps students practise critical thinking in a context that feels familiar and low-stakes.

Choose one or both of the following films available on ClickView:

• Frozen (Years 7–12) – Kristoff asks Anna for permission before their first kiss, modelling clear, enthusiastic consent in a moment students instantly recognise.
• 10 Things I Hate about You (Years 7–12) – When an intoxicated Kat tries to kiss Patrick, he gently stops her, choosing not to take advantage and showing respect for boundaries when she’s unable to give proper consent.

After watching the relevant scene (or the full film as part of a broader unit), ask students to analyse it through a consent lens:

• What does the character do to show respect for the other person’s boundaries?
• How would the scene be different if consent wasn’t present?
• What message does this scene send to the audience about relationships?

You might also ask students to identify consent moments – both positive and negative – in other films, TV shows, or media they consume. This helps them build the habit of critically evaluating the relationship dynamics they see every day.

For senior students (Years 9–12), Kiss the Boy (four minutes) explores issues of dating and consent through real-life experiences, while Keep Breathing (A Film about Consent) (Years 11–12, 19 minutes) provides a longer, more complex narrative for extended analysis.

Tips for ongoing consent education

These seven activities are a strong starting point, but consent education works best when it’s woven into your broader teaching – not confined to a single lesson or awareness week. Here are some ways to keep the conversation going:

• Revisit the language regularly. Use terms like “consent,” “boundaries,” and “respect” in everyday classroom interactions – not just during HPE lessons. When students hear this language normalised, it reinforces that these concepts apply to all areas of life.
• Create a safe space for questions. Consider an anonymous question box (physical or digital) where students can submit questions about consent and relationships. Address a few each week to keep the dialogue open without putting anyone on the spot.
• Connect across subjects. Consent themes appear in English (analysing power dynamics in literature), Legal Studies (examining legislation), Media Studies (critiquing representations in advertising and film), and PDHPE. Look for natural touchpoints within your existing curriculum.
• Stay current. Young people’s experiences of consent are shaped by evolving technology and social norms. Regularly check ClickView’s Consent topic page for new and updated resources that reflect the world your students are actually navigating.

Teaching consent takes courage and inclusivity. It asks you to facilitate conversations that don’t always have neat answers, to sit with discomfort, and to trust your students with complex ideas. But when you give young people the language and frameworks to understand consent, you’re equipping them with something they’ll carry well beyond the classroom.

Sources

1. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (n.d.). Health and Physical Education. Available at: https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/health-and-physical-education/
2. Our Watch. (2021). Respectful Relationships Education in Schools: The Beginnings of Change. Available at: https://www.ourwatch.org.au/resource/respectful-relationships-education-in-schools-the-beginnings-of-change/