Submission No 17 s exualisation of children and young people organisation

Measures to address classification zone standards on free-to-air television 
The relaxation of classification zone standards that has occurred means it is now more likely that 
harmful content will be brought into the view of children. Appropriate standards are also important, 
because often parents do not have a full understanding of their child’s viewing habits. Increasing the 
coverage of higher rated content means it is now harder for parents to control their child’s access. 
The recent weakening of the code is a serious misreading of community sentiment. Australians want 
better TV standards, not weaker ones. There is no doubt the community has reached a tipping point 
on this issue. Weakening the Code makes it more difficult for members of the public to dialogue with 
television stations about the quality and content of television programs avoids that responsibility. 
Recommendation: That Free TV Australia strengthen classification guidelines by placing stronger 
limits on the depiction of sexual themes, depictions of sexual behaviour, and nudity.
Adequacy of NSW education policy to ensure appropriate content 
Safe Schools Coalition may already be in breach of New South Wales Department of Education policy 
for raising political issues. The policy states: 
1.1.1 Schools are neutral grounds for rational discourse and objective study. They are 
not arenas for opposing political views or ideologies. 
1.1.2 Discussion of controversial issues is acceptable only when it clearly serves the 
educative purpose and is consistent with curriculum objectives. Such discussion is not 
intended to advance the interest of any group, political or otherwise.
140
 
The SSCA was ordered to refrain from ‘
commenting on the politically sensitive issue of gay marriage’
141
by the Commonwealth Government, despite this, the SSCA’s materials continue to explicitly promote 
gay marriage activism in schools. The Stand Out Strategy Guide encourages students to get whole 
school participation in events like IDAHOT, Pride,
142
Mardi Gras, ‘
or even an equal marriage rally’.
143
 
Talk to teachers about inviting guests from community organisations that support gender 
diversity, sexual diversity or being intersex to speak at your assemblies or to come into your 
class.
144
 
Hold a ‘Speakout!’ by inviting ‘some guest speakers, or line up some students and teachers to 
come along and ‘speakout’ on a relevant topic. It could be ‘why we support equal marriage’ or 
‘why our school supports gender diversity’
.
145
140
NSW Department of Education, Controversial Issues in Schools, accessed 05/02/2016, 
https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/curriculum/schools/cont issue/PD20020045.shtml
.
141
Henrietta Cook, Safe Schools program ordered to stay silent on gay marriage, 
The Age,
July 28, 2015, 
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/safe-schools-program-ordered-to-stay-silent-on-gay-marriage-20150728-
gimdrr.html#ixzz3hRvznPPI 
142
SSCA, 200+ students march at Victoria's 20th Pride event, accessed 05/02/2016, 
http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org.au/200-students-march-at-victoria-s-20th-pride-event-2.
143
Stand Out resource, SSCA, accessed 05/02/2016, 
http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org.au/uploads/72d8a166cad4fd27ca3ed94ea7fe6b53.pdf 
p 22 
144
Ibid.
p 11. 
145
Ibid.
p 20.

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