Journalist Jess Hill, known for her groundbreaking work in “See What You Made Me Do,” returns to SBS with a new series, “Asking For It.”
Episode three of the series, set in 2023, marks a pivotal year in which every school in Australia is set to receive consent education.
As the concept of ‘consent’ becomes a hot topic, this episode delves into the importance of accurate messaging and investigates the steps necessary to dismantle the deeply rooted lessons of fear, shame, and entitlement that have contributed to sexual dysfunction and harm throughout society.
The series aims to spark a nationwide conversation on the epidemic of sexual violence affecting millions of Australians and explores the ongoing sexual revolution that has evolved from the ‘sexual liberation’ of the 1960s and ’70s to the current era of ‘enthusiastic consent.’
Throughout the three-episode series, Jess Hill accompanies advocates pushing for change in Australia and learns why they demand high-quality consent education across the national curriculum, starting from kindergarten. Hill meets with prominent victim-survivors at the forefront of Australia’s consent revolution, including Saxon Mullins, Grace Tame, Noelle Martin, and Adele (delsi) Moleta. They share their experiences with the legal system, their fight for law reform, and the process of healing from trauma.
In addition, Hill interviews a diverse range of experts, community groups, and consent educators from Australia and beyond. From sex and consent educator Richie Hardcore, who focuses on educating young men, to Reset Australia, which addresses emerging digital threats, the series showcases innovative approaches to consent education. Hill also experiences the delight of a consent-friendly LGBTQIA+ dance party and reveals pioneering work in South Africa, where bespoke care centres and courts provide a safe haven and justice for victim-survivors.
