Experts and commentators have slammed the New South Wales Police Commissioner's idea for a sexual consent app, saying that it may have the unintended effect of protecting perpetrators and making it harder for victims to get justice.
All the panellists on the ABC’s QandA program on Thursday night thought the app was a bad idea.
"I don’t think it is going to fly. Consent is a really complex issue. It's a really complex process. It's not obviously ticking a box, it's not swiping on an app," UNSW Associate Professor of criminology Michael Salter said.
"The Commissioner's intentions were good, talking about more active consent… but no consent is not a legal tick-the-box exercise. It is something we need to think about really carefully," he added.
Mr Fuller floated the idea of an app that allows people to record sexual consent in an interview with the on Thursday, but later conceded it may not be the right answer.
"Can technology bring people together and find love? Well clearly it is and perhaps it's an avenue in terms of trying to bring clarity and some respect to women," he told journalists on Thursday, adding that the app would not be run by the government.
"I'm just suggesting, is it part of the solution? Now, maybe it's not. But if we don't do something, more and more women are going to come forward seeking justice for sexual violence.
Broadcaster and author Yumi Stynes said she thought it was a "terrible idea".
"Anyone who has ever been assaulted or who has been edged or pushed into something knows this is a bad idea. If you can be coerced into sex, you can be coerced into swiping an app," she said.
Ms Stynes said she was concerned it would make it harder for women to change their mind about consent if it had been recorded on an app.
"It seems to be squashing down the conversation about how consent is ongoing. Swiping and then it's a free for all," she added.
Yasmin Poole, 2021 youth influencer of the year, said an app may have the opposite effect and present a legal barrier to reporting sexual assault and rape for those who may have ticked the box.
"This is an example of how we should be using evidence-based approaches. It's too important to be throwing things at a wall and seeing if things stick. Let's centre the lived experience of survivors and use the evidence and not experiment," she said.
Over the past month, in Australian schools - prompting widespread discussion over the need for better sexual consent education.
Her advocacy led the , that will include information about respectful relationships, consent, and sexual abuse.
Wenona School principal Briony Scott said consent education needed to begin in a non-sexual and age-appropriate way all the way from kindergarten.
"Learning that your body is yours, that you don’t take over a child, it starts really young. It's not all about sex," she said.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence or sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit . In an emergency, call 000.
Readers seeking support with mental health can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. More information is available at . supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
