For several years now, sexual consent has been a serious topic of interest in Australia.

In early 2022, the federal government ordered in-school learning with students’ consent. This includes information about what consent is and the way to ensure a consensual relationship.

Across Australia, 4 states (Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania) and the Australian Capital Territory have now adopted affirmative consent laws. Although the exact wording of the regulations varies by jurisdiction, affirmative consent may be defined as the need for “each person involved in a sexual act to take steps to say or do something to determine whether the other person(s) involved consents to the sexual act.”

There were also vital campaigns, e.g Have no doubts campaign in New South Wales to educate about secure, enjoyable and consensual sex.

One of the challenges with sexual consent education is determining the way it translates into real-life situations. As part broader research In searching for to answer this query, we wanted to understand how young heterosexual men and girls understand and practice consent.

Our latest study found that although participants mostly understood the concept of affirmative consent, they didn’t always put it into practice on the spur of the moment.

Understanding sexual consent

Our study included a mixed group of 44 men and girls aged 18 to 35 who were in a relationship, dating or single. We talked to them in focus groups and presented a wide range of heterosexualities sexual consent vignettes (scenarios) to discuss.

We wanted to understand how participants thought characters should take care of such situations and the way they would take care of such scenarios themselves. The scenarios were designed to be somewhat ambiguous and didn’t provide a transparent, correct answer.

An example of a vignette we used was Julia and Marek. They meet for drinks on their first date and there is robust chemistry between them. They find yourself at Julia’s, where she tells him that she wants to take it slow and won’t have sex that night. They start kissing and they each start shedding layers of garments. Mark hesitates, unsure whether to proceed, and Julia is unsure how to signal her interest in other sorts of intimacy after establishing a boundary.

In addition to the vignettes, we asked participants to share, amongst other things, their understanding of the concept of consent and their thoughts on gender expectations related to dating and sex.

Participants demonstrated a full understanding of consent practices in line with the affirmative consent framework. This includes understanding that each one parties are responsible with the consent of all parties involved. Danny, a 23-year-old man, said:

It’s like equal responsibility in my eyes.

Participants also noted that easy, open communication combined with consistent verbal validation is very important. As Abigail, a 26-year-old woman, said:

Both parties need to actively engage and test boundaries over time.

Theory versus reality

Even though they appeared to understand the principles of affirmative consent, participants responded in a different way when presented with different scenarios. Instead of drawing attention to equal responsibility, most participants believed that in the scenarios men were answerable for obtaining consent and girls were answerable for giving it.

When discussing the scenarios, participants emphasized the need to avoid assumptions and encourage open communication. But this angle modified as we discussed personal experiences and sexual consent. In this case, participants expected their partners to understand typical boundaries during sexual encounters, suggesting a shared sense of what’s “normal.”

In fact, participants believed that following good sexual communication practices could reduce the pleasure of sexual encounters. Some admitted that although they knew the ideal approach, they didn’t always stick to it. As Alice, a 25-year-old woman, said:

Everything goes well and we make up after which it moves to the bedroom and the whole lot just seems to flow and I feel comfortable not necessarily having to openly have this conversation from time to time.

Lenore, a 28-year-old woman, said:

Sometimes a conversation can almost destroy the atmosphere, like when the moment is (…) really hot and passionate and also you’re giving all of them the signals and they’re providing you with all the signals, after which he said, “So I just want to hang out for a while.” contact you,’ and I used to be like, ‘Dude, come on, let’s just do it.’

Jeremy, a 34-year-old man, said:

I recurrently ask someone if they’re having time, , “are you okay,” “are you okay,” and the response I get is, “No, you ruined the moment,” which I discovered quite embarrassing when someone who firmly believes in ensuring that there’ll always be consent.

Participants also indicated that affirmative consent is more vital in some sexual situations than in others. Discussing certainly one of the vignettes, Lenore said:

It would really rely on what he (the character in the script) was trying, truthfully he sort of flipped me over and threw me right into a latest position, like, yes, do this. If he hit me in the face during sex without explaining it first, no. It depends entirely on what it’s and the way it is completed.

Implications

Our study is comparatively small and can’t be generalized to the wider Australian population. We also focused exclusively on consent in heterosexual relationships.

Nevertheless, our study provides some insight into how young men and girls may take care of consent during sex. The results don’t mean that education about sexual consent is ineffective. Rather, they point to a big gap between knowledge and application of this information.

Our findings also point to a broader and more complex issue: the need for a whole-of-society approach to rethinking sexual communication and consent. One in five women have experienced sexual violence, suggesting deeper problems with men’s entitlement and social attitudes towards women. Focusing on the consent of sexual partners is a technique to change attitudes.

Sexual encounters often involve complex layers of emotions and experiences influenced by culture, religion, and other aspects, with elements equivalent to shame, pleasure, joy, uncertainty, fear, and anxiety.

Understanding the complex variables that influence decision-making in these contexts is critical to creating educational resources that help people navigate sexual consent in a wide range of situations.

Hot Picks is a column where fashion insiders reveal their latest obsessions by sharing their latest purchases and must-haves.

You can recognize Bria Fleming from Bravo. In the series, she is essentially the most progressive solid member amongst her group of friends, who mainly live in New York. During our Zoom call, she wore a white button-down shirt dress with a red “GG” stripe by Gucci, embodying the chic look of an office siren. Her hair is elegantly tied in a ponytail and her demeanor seems relaxed. When asked about her current stylistic selections, she replies that she lives in a refined era. “It’s nice to have the opportunity to precise yourself [through fashion]Fleming said.

When it involves the outfits she wears on Martha’s Vineyard, Fleming shares that she normally shares her and her friends’ travel plans to this glorious and tranquil island. This normally gives her enough time to pack for exactly what the summer will entail: clubbing, days on the beach, elaborate house parties, and anything that’s spontaneous. In the series, she often wears swimsuits, comfortable cardigans and airy sets consisting of airy trousers and a fitted top that may be worn throughout the day.

Recently she was concerned about Loewe and Nana Jacqueline, which she found extremely fascinating. Describing the latter brand’s style as “presidential” and “classy”, she particularly likes the preppy mini dresses with ruffled sleeves and chic two-piece suits in shades of sentimental pink and burgundy. Gucci holds a special place in her heart – a luxury brand that she has loved from an early age, attracted by its high-quality offer, from footwear to handbags. Hermes is one other beloved brand, perfect for gifting perfumes to family and friends. When attending premieres, basketball games and trips to Germany to go to her boyfriend, Simon, she makes sure that her outfit is all the time perfectly suited to the occasion, calling it “aesthetic attire.”

Her family, including her parents, older brother and younger sister, all the time knew she had a talent for designer items. Originally from Greenville, a town in upstate New York, Bria tells me that because each of her parents are from Queens, she inherited their love of East Coast style. As a teen, Fleming devotedly wore the Baby Phat and G-Unit and fondly recalls that she was never seen without her hoop earrings.

Fleming was an energetic child, running track and being a cheerleader. She has fond memories of her childhood, when she tailored her Barbie dolls’ clothes. Going to the JoAnn Fabric And Crafts store together with her mother, she bought fabrics and unleashed her creative imagination. From a young age, she desired to front her own clothing brand, but decided to proceed exploring and discovering the aesthetic that appealed to her.

When she was 15, her family moved to Calabasas, which had a huge effect on her style. This took place within the early twenty first century and the style of that era played a major role in shaping her wardrobe. Fleming drew inspiration from fashion icons reminiscent of Jennifer Lopez and Paris Hilton, who was at the peak of her fame and known for her outgoing personality and elegance. Fleming remembers being encouraged by Hilton’s habit of carrying a chihuahua on a reality show, and he or she began doing the identical together with her own dog, Milo. Throughout the 2000s, she continuously wore Juicy Couture tracksuits and UGG boots.

After spending years in highschool, graduating from Los Angeles City College and studying film, she decided to go away California. She eventually moved to New York and worked on the infamous Playboy Club, where she met a few of her current Summer House co-stars: MV stars, Jasmine Cooper AND Jordan Emmanuel. It is now in its most classic era.

Fleming draws inspiration from the style of ’90s models reminiscent of Iman, Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell. Their modeling uniforms are now a continuing source of dressing inspiration. There’s a certain indescribable quality to what these models have worn up to now that exudes confidence regardless of the occasion.

Here are five stylish pieces that Bria Fleming recently purchased.

“I’m entering the ‘Cowgirl Carter’ era.”

Available o Amazon

02

02 Loewe Anagram ribbed sleeveless top with logo

“Discover everyday elegance with the Loewe top, perfect for any occasion, regardless of the weather.”

Available o Bergdorf Goodman

03

03 Nana Jacqueline Alia dress

“This dress is a symbol of the classic chic that every woman deserves, embodying grace and sophistication.”

Available o Nana Jacqueline

04

04 Prada men’s geometric sunglasses

“I like protecting my eyes with sophisticated sunglasses. This Prada model is a flexible accessory that will easily complement any outfit with its elegant look.

Available o Neiman Marcus

(*5*)

05

05 Gucci Dionysus GG Super Mini Bag

“This mini bag was a special purchase from my boyfriend. This accessory adds a touch of opulence to any ensemble and makes it a novel gift for yourself or a loved one.

Available o Gucci