Sexual Assault, Criminal Lawyer Amy Soong Sexual Assault, Criminal Lawyer Amy Soong

New ‘affirmative consent’ laws – what it means for sexual offences moving forward

As of 23 September 2024, Queensland's new affirmative consent laws have come into effect, significantly changing how consent is understood in sexual offence cases. Under these reforms, consent must be actively expressed—silence or lack of resistance is not enough. The laws also introduce clearer definitions of when consent is not given, require consent to be sought for every act, and criminalise ‘stealthing’ (tampering with or removing a condom without consent). These changes have serious legal consequences, making it crucial to understand your rights and obligations.

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