Bid for new (C) Lack of Consent classification for popular TV and films in Australia

News Corp readers have had their say on controversial proposed changes to how Aussies watch sex and kissing scenes. Vote in our poll.

Most News Corp Australia readers are against a new push for a film and television classification to warn viewers about non-consensual romantic and sexual interactions.

Consent advocacy group, Consent Labs, is campaigning to introduce the classification — (C) Lack of Consent – the first ever classification to call out lack of consent on screen.

News Corp’s poll revealed 69 per cent of our readers don’t support the proposed new classification, with just 22 voting yes, and 9 per cent unsure.

With new research revealing 57 per cent of Australians are unable to recognise non-consensual acts in popular films and TV shows, the new classification aims to help viewers understand the difference between consent and lack thereof.

“The ultimate goal is to see the board introduce this classification for all scenes where it is unclear that affirmative consent is given,” founder and CEO of Consent Labs, Angelique Wan, said.

Scenes such as Anne Hathaway’s character Andrea being talked into sex while drunk by Australian actor Simon Baker’s character Christian Thompson on The Devil Wears Prada, Australian actor Isla Fisher’s character Gloria forcing herself on to Jeremy (played by Vince Vaughn) in The Wedding Crashers, and even Colette (Janeane Garofalo) and Alfredo (Lou Romano) being pushed into an accidental kiss in the cartoon Ratatouille, are all examples of lack of consent, Ms Wan said.

“Non-consensual acts are commonly depicted (on screen), but it’s often romanticised or played off for laughs, so everyday Australians find it hard to identify a non-consensual act when it’s being depicted,” she said.

But Content Labs isn’t seeking to censor non-consensual acts, ultimately, the campaign aims to educate Australians about what consent looks like and what it doesn’t look like, both in the media and in real life.

“It’s not about removing scenes; it’s really about informing viewers. Like any other classification that we already know, this would exist similarly alongside those,” she added.

Ms Wan said leaving non-consensual acts unacknowledged normalises and perpetuates lack of consent.

“I think there’s so much power in knowing and understanding what you’re watching on your screen, because what’s normalised in the content we’re consuming, can be normalised in real life.”

A Classifications Board spokesperson said the board wasn’t aware of the proposal, but any changes to the classifiable elements would require a change to legislation.

“The Classification Board determines Consumer Advice which describes the highest content material in the film,” the spokesperson said.

“At present, the Classification Board would generally identify non-consensual sex in a film with consumer advice which included ‘sexual violence’.”

New classifications are unlikely to be applied retrospectively.

“However, if an old film is released with modifications or with additional content, such as bloopers or interviews with directors/producers, etc, then the film would need to be reclassified,” the spokesperson said.

Consent Labs are campaigning for a new classification to warn viewers about the depiction of non-consensual acts like this one in The Mask starring Jim Carrey.

“Films are classified according to the standards in place at the time of the application for classification. This means that a 1980s film, if re-released with additional content, will be classified in accordance with the provisions of the current Code and Guidelines, and the contemporary community standards.”

Director of Griffith University’s MATE Program, Shaan Ross-Smith, said she was “absolutely in support of this as a concept”.

“Knowledge is absolutely power, there is a direct link to popular culture and the reinforcement of attitudes that support violence,” she said.

Ms Ross-Smith said warnings should be accompanied by education programs.

“It’s not enough to tell people what not to do, we need to educate people on what they could do.

“We also need films that show consent, how it is obtained, what it looks, sounds and feels like.”

Content Labs is seeking community support with their new petition which is live on the Australian federal parliament website.