Submission No 17 s exualisation of children and young people organisation

Introduction 
1.
I am asked to advise as to the potential liability of school authorities which promote certain 
material endorsed by the SSCA.
2.
The material is found on a website operated by a group known as Minus 18, which identifies 
itself as “Australia’s largest youth led organisation for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and trans 
youth.”
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It is material which provides information in relation to: 
a.
Chest binding for girls; 
b.
Penis tucking for boys; 
c.
Sexual transmitted infections (
STIs
); 
d.
Gender alteration. 
3.
For the reasons set out in this opinion, it is my view that in certain circumstances, should a 
school child suffer damage from following, or as a result of, the information available on 
Minus 18’s website in relation to the above matters, the relevant school authority
may be 
liable in negligence for any damage suffered.
4.
The liability for a school authority for damage suffered by a student as a result of following 
information obtained from a website use of which was expressly or impliedly encouraged by 
the authority is a novel area, and like the related area of a school authority’s liability for 
cyber bullying, may well see litigation occur in the future. There are no decided cases in 
Australia in relation to this issue, so as with the issue of cyber bullying, it has to be 
approached on first principles.
5.
Whether the law imposes a duty of care in a novel situation is “fact-rich” question. That is, 
much depends on the specific facts of a particular case. Therefore, an opinion which 
considers a hypothetical situation can only be tentative.
SSSCA Information
6.
The specific issues I am asked to consider are: 
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https://minus18.org.au/index.php/about-us accessed 10 November 2105
.

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a.
“The liability of schools that have voluntarily opted in to the “Safe Schools Coalition Australia” program for 
harms suffered by students as a result of: Following through on advice about chest binding: ‘Because you are 
compressing tissue, it can cause damage and potentially even breakages to your ribs if done improperly, if 
things 
go 
wrong 
with 
your 
ribs, 
it 
has 
the 
potential 
to 
be 
lethal.’ 
.https://minus18.org.au/index.php/resources/sexuality-info/item/441-how-to-bind-your-chest; 
b.
Introduction to the Grindr app and acting on belief that STI’s are ‘not terrible at all.’ ‘So I done fucked up. 
Literally. One Grindr hook-up gone wrong, and that’s how I got myself some gonorrhoea. But let’s backtrack 
here so I can fill out some holes (pun intended) in my little life drama… So it’s not as terrible as you may have 
expected, in fact it’s not terrible at all. Most STIs can be detected from non-invasive urine and saliva samples, 
and if found early are easily cured.’ https://minus18.org.au/index.php/sex-love/item/513-so-you-got-an-sti-
now-what; 
c.
Gender dysphoria brought on as a result of the program, leading to errors of judgement about ‘using 
hormones’ etc to alter their gender ‘Some people have surgery to alter how they express their gender, some 
people have hormone treatment. Some people legally change what’s written on their birth certificate.’ ‘The 
basics are that sex is your physical aspects (ie your wibbly wobbly bits) and gender is how you feel in your 
mind’ http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org.au/uploads/2dd9051c41af2766cacf2b3b0fccd00b.pdf (page 9);”
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d.
Following through on advice in relation to “penis tucking”:
“Tucking is used to create a flat front in the pants, and reduce the visibility of a penis. It’s often done when 
wearing tight skirts and/or dresses, or just for personal comfort. Just like binding it’s important to take care, 
tucking can cause injury if done improperly. Don’t tuck for more than 4-6 hours at a time, and taking a break 
is a must. Tucking sometimes involves a technique of placing the testicles back inside the pockets inside your 
abdomen that lie on either side of the penis. If it feels too weird, a tuck can still work without it. The next step 
is to pull the penis backwards, inbetween your legs. Secure everything and make sure it stays in place. Wearing 
a pair of slightly too-tight underwear and a pair of tights can be a way of securing your tuck.
”
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7.
I am instructed that SSCA operates a federally-funded program, “rolled out” in each state 
and territory following the approval of the relevant education departments. The program is 
used in schools.
8.
I am instructed that the issues of chest binding, penis tucking and gender dysphoria (and 
any action that may be taken in that regard) carry serious risks, and that careful counselling 
is needed so that informed choices may be made. I am also instructed that STIs can cause 
serious health issues.