Why We Need Non-Consensual Acts To Be Flagged In TV And Film Classification
'Bridgerton', 'Star Wars', and 'The Devil Wears Prada' all contain scenes that could normalise a lack of consent.
A new campaign is pushing for a new classification to call out lack of consent in TV and film.
— Content warning: This article contains references to consent and sexual assault. —
Not-for-profit charity providing respectful relationship education, Consent Labs, wants to see (C) Lack of Consent introduced alongside existing classifications that identify drug use, coarse language, nudity, and profanity on screen.
It coincides with new research commissioned as part of the Classify Consent campaign that found 75 percent of Australians agree that flagging non-consensual acts in TV shows and films would help educate viewers, while nearly 60 percent felt they were unable to recognise non-consensual acts when watching content at all.
“From scenes in children’s films where women are kissed while they’re asleep, to rom-coms where men are tied to a bed and their struggle is played for laughs, or scenes that are depicted as romantic, even though the person says “no” again and again — these acts are designed to add dramatic effect to a scene but the visualisation without warning perpetuates and normalises lack of consent,” said Consent Labs CEO Angelique Wan.
Examples highlighted included the kiss in Sleeping Beauty to Daphne not letting the Duke of Hastings pull out in Bridgerton, with Friends, The Devil Wears Prada, and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back also making the list of questionable and damaging scenes.
The group launched their campaign on Wednesday with a public support pledge website, and is planning a Federal Petition to the Australian Classifications Board later in the year.
They hope the new classification will support viewers in making informed decisions about what they’re watching — rather than cancelling or censoring content — and help people clearly identify the difference between consensual and non-consensual acts they consume.
“There’s power in knowing what you’re watching. That’s why we classify coarse language, nudity and drug use. And that’s why we must classify lack of consent,” said Wan.
You can pledge your support to the campaign here.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please call 1800 RESPECT or visit www.1800respect.org.au. 1800 RESPECT is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.