{
  "id": 3159928,
  "title": "Families need to openly talk to children about misogyny, consent and sexual violence. Here’s how to start | Stephanie Wescott and Jane Gilmore for the Conversation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/families-need-to-openly-talk-to-children-about-misogyny-consent-and",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T01:20:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian Australia",
    "slug": "the-guardian-australia",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/25/families-need-to-openly-talk-to-children-about-misogyny-consent-and-sexual-violence-heres-how-to-start-ntwnfb"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Families should feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics like misogyny, rape, and sexual violence with their children without fear of punishment. Recent high-profile alleged incidents of sexual violence against women and girls, particularly involving teenage boys, have prompted these necessary conversations. Parents play a crucial role in teaching their children about respectful sex and healthy relationships, countering harmful messages they may encounter online.\n\nTo prepare for these conversations, parents should feel confident in their knowledge and ability to answer questions. Using accurate language instead of euphemisms, particularly with teenagers, is essential. Parents should avoid softening the discussion by hiding the realities of violence. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, nearly 30% of all sexual assaults reported in 2024 were against girls aged 10-17, and the number of sexual assaults in 2024 increased by 10% compared to the previous year.\n\nInitiating conversations with children should be open and non-threatening. Parents can start by asking their children what they have read about recent media reports, what they think about the issues, and what their friends have said. Casual settings, such as the car or during chores, can also be effective for starting these discussions. It's important to keep the conversation calm, non-judgmental, and open, encouraging children to share any concerning experiences or topics. Parents should reject harmful myths and gender stereotypes, even if their children seem to agree with them. Recognizing the discomfort in discussing these topics is normal but should not be used as an excuse to avoid the conversation.\n\nResearch supports the effectiveness of feminist approaches from parents and parental support for school education initiatives on healthy relationships and consent to help prevent violence. Adults should regularly support children in recognizing sexism and misogyny in everyday situations, helping them understand the broader implications in their own lives. Discussing misogynistic content on social media and teaching critical thinking skills can reduce the potential for harm. Starting conversations about consent as early as possible, even with younger children, is crucial. This includes age-appropriate discussions about consent, learning to trust their feelings, using correct anatomical words for body parts, respecting other people's boundaries, and making decisions about their own bodies. Remember, these conversations should be ongoing and open, rather than relying on a single perfectly crafted discussion.",
  "summary": "All family members should feel safe to raise concerns, ask questions and cover topics without fear of shutdown or reprimand There have been multiple high-profile alleged incidents of sexual violence against women and girls in news headlines this month. Some of them involve teenage boys. Families might find themselves having – or thinking they need to have – discussions with their children about…",
  "key_points": [
    "Families should openly discuss misogyny, rape, and sexual violence with children.",
    "Parents play crucial role in teaching respectful sex and healthy relationships.",
    "Initiating conversations should be open, non-threatening, and age-appropriate."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}