The state government is taking to social media to support young people in understanding the importance of consent and respect in response to a disturbing rise in sexual violence across the country.

For ten weeks, it will share images and videos on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn to boost awareness around the various forms of sexual violence. 

These include taking and sharing of intimate images without consent, pressuring people into sex and disrespecting boundaries.

The content aims to empower young people with the tools to recognise, prevent and respond to sexual violence, whether it happens online or in person.

Research from Our Watch, a leading organisation in the prevention of violence against women in Australia, highlights how prevalent misconceptions of sexual violence are amongst young people.

Our Watch surveyed 1,000 young Australians aged 14-20 years old and while the majority of those surveyed claimed to understand healthy relationships, 27% confused controlling behaviours as signs of healthy boundaries.

The survey showed 29% of young Australians thought forcing physical touch out of love was a healthy boundary while 54% believed that if a boy wants to have sex with a girl, it is up to the girl to make it very clear she doesn’t want to.

Katrine Hildyard is Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. She says the rise of sexual violence - in all of its forms - is disturbing. 

“Sexual violence isn’t always physical - it can manifest itself in insidious ways, like taking or sharing an intimate photo of someone without their permission or intimidating someone online.

“Just as is the case with physical sexual violence, these other, unacceptable forms of sexual violence can also have serious and long-lasting impacts on wellbeing and relationships, and the rapidly changing nature of technology makes preventing and tackling them more complex than ever before.

“We need young people to feel confident to speak up and help us to create safer spaces online – and everywhere else - for everyone.

“To do this, we want young people to have a clear understanding about what constitutes sexual violence and how they can play their part in helping to prevent and end it. That is what this push is all about.

Survivor and Zahra Foundation Head of Specialist Practice Rabia Aftab says if a friend changes how they dress, act, or speak overnight it might not be ‘just a phase.’ 

“It might be a trauma response. don’t ignore it. Pay attention and ask questions, believe them and seek help.

“When consent is missing its sexual abuse. Coercion, manipulation, guilt-tripping, love bombing, these are red flags too.

“You don’t have to be loud to be brave. Speaking up is brave. Standing for yourself is brave.”

Survivor KS says raising awareness about sexual violence and consent is essential to preventing harm, supporting survivors and building a culture of respect, accountability and safety.

“The truth is we don’t know what we don’t know. We can trick our minds into believing this will never happen to me, especially when we don’t fully grasp what sexual violence really means. That’s why awareness matters. It helps us see the signs, speak the truth, and stand with those who’ve lived it.”

Survivor Natasha says rape is about violence, not sex. 

“If a person hits you with a shovel, you wouldn't call it gardening.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual violence, confidential information, counselling and support is available 24/7 through 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.