Students > Support > Wellbeing Services > Wellbeing Resource Hub > Healthy and respectful relationships > Consent

Consent

Consent is when you freely and voluntarily agree to something.

The law says that two people can’t have sex unless they both consent. There are also clear age limits for having sex.

In Victoria, we have affirmative consent laws, which put responsibility on each person to actively seek consent from the other people involved in any kind of sexual act. Learn more about affirmative consent here https://www.respectvictoria.vic.gov.au/news/affirmative-consent

Respectful Behaviour and Culture module

Boundaries respect and positive intervention

The Respectful Behaviour and Culture is compulsory for all students commencing their studies from January 2024.

The aim of this module is to:

  • help support you form healthy and respectful relationships
  • understand what consent looks like and how to communicate what you want
  • understand when consent cannot be given
  • learn how to be a positive bystander and intervene safely in a situation where consent is not present.

Supports and resources

Internal support

  • Emergency: In an emergency ring: 000 and then security 9479 2222
  • Safer Community: Contact Safer Community if witness or experience concerning, threatening, inappropriate or uncomfortable behaviour, including sexual harm.
  • Wellbeing Services provides free and confidential, personal and emotional support for students, including counselling.
  • La Trobe Out of Hours Support Line: for mental health and wellbeing concerns from 5.00 pm–9.00 am weeknights and weekends and public holidays.
  • Understanding Sexual Harm: A factsheet produced by our Safer Community team which explains sexual harm, the impacts, as well as how to best support someone affected and the services available.

External support

  • 1800 Respect: The national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling and information referral service. They provide advice and counselling support via phone and online chat.
  • CASA: We have partnered with the Victorian Centres for Sexual Assault to provide timely advice and support to victims of sexual assault and harassment. Specialist sexual assault counsellors are available on site in Bundoora and there are established links for other campuses.
  • Victoria Police Sexual Offence Investigation Team (SOCIT): Specially trained police to respond and investigate sexual offences which prioritise the needs of the victim. In an emergency ring: 000.
  • Men’s Line: Telephone and online counselling support for men with emotional health and relationship concerns.