This project has been funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada
98% of Autistic youth want consent included in sexual health education
(SIECCAN, 2023)
Only 17% of Autistic youth say consent was “covered well” in high school sexual health education; 18% did not learn about consent
(SIECCAN, 2023)
25% of Autistic youth have tried to access gender-based violence services in their community
(SIECCAN, 2023)
Almost all (99%!) of Autistic youth want bodily autonomy included in sexual health education – but 30% report not learning about bodily autonomy
(SIECCAN, 2023)
Consent for Autistic Youth
Increasing capacity to provide effective consent education: Focus on Autistic youth
Autistic youth require effective education about consent. However, existing consent education often does not meet their needs. Consent education that is inclusive of the needs and experiences of Autistic youth empowers Autistic youth to assert their boundaries, encourages Autistic youth to respect the choices that others make about their own bodies, and promotes greater understanding and acceptance of Autistic ways of being. SIECCAN’s Increasing capacity to provide effective consent education: Focus on boys and Autistic youth is funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada’s Gender-Based Violence Program. Over the course of the project, SIECCAN is conducting a consultation with health service providers and Autistic youth and creating resources to support health service providers in delivering effective consent education to Autistic youth.
