Meet the author - Chanel Contos

Listen to the recording of Chanel Contos will be in conversation with Natassia Chrysanthos on Chanel's new book Consent Laid Bare: sex, entitlement and the distortion of desire, a game-changing book about sex and consent that every woman - and man - should read.

In 2021, Chanel Contos posted on Instagram asking people to share their stories of sexual assault during their schooling years. This post unexpectedly went viral and almost 7000 people sent in testimonies describing behaviour that constitutes rape. Virtually none of these instances were reported, and almost all of them were by people they knew.

How and why is this happening in an era of growing equality? Chanel Contos argues that when it comes to sex, we are still working with an outdated social contract that privileges men's pleasure at the expense of women's humanity.

Consent Laid Bare challenges the lingering inequality that reinforces this behaviour. It asks if consent is possible in a world where female sexuality has been hijacked by forces such as porn, patriarchy and male entitlement. It gives girls and women the encouragement to seek sex that is truly enjoyable and equips them with the information they need to properly consent. It asks boys and men to become advocates for sex centered around intimacy rather than fuelled by aggression. It is a battle cry from a generation no longer prepared to stay silent.

This clear and concise book about consent is so important. Not just for your daughter's future, but for your son's.' Jane Caro

Chanel Contos, who founded Teach Us Consent, a campaign that mandated consent education in Australia. was the recipient of the Australian Human Rights Commission Young People's Medal in 2021. In 2023 she was named NSW Young Woman of the Year for her persistent efforts towards eradicating rape culture. Chanel has also been presented with the prestigious Diana Award for her humanitarian work, and in 2022 she was listed as one of the BBC's 100 inspiring and influential women worldwide. Chanel has a Masters in Education, Gender and International Development from University College London and was recently appointed by Julia Gillard to chair the Global Institute for Women's Leadership's Youth Advisory Committee.

Natassia Crysanthos is a Canberra press gallery journalist covering health for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, where she was previously an education reporter. She was the first journalist to cover Chanel Contos' Instagram petition calling for better sex education in Australian schools. She was a finalist in both the Walkley Awards and the Walkley's Young Australian Journalist of the Year Awards for her ongoing coverage of sex and consent, and was named the Kennedy Young Journalist of the Year in 2021. Natassia's Good Weekend cover story, Sex, Schoolkids and Where it All Goes Wrong, was co-authored with prominent writer David Leser and a finalist in the Our Watch journalism award in 2022.

The vote of thanks will be given by world-renowned gender equality expert, Professor Michelle Ryan, the inaugural Director of the Global Institute for Women's Leadership ANU.

This event is in association withHarry Hartog Bookshop. Books will be available for purchase on the evening in the Cultural Centre foyer. Pre-event book signings will be available from 5.30pm, and available again after the event. 
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Registration is required for this event.

Accessible parking spaces are available around campus should you require them.

To help keep everyone safe, please ensure that you are familiar with, and follow, the advice from ACT Health regarding COVID-19.

If you do not feel well, please refrain from attending this event.

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A podcast will be made available after the event.

Symposium by University House Wine bar (Shop 13, 152 University Avenue, Acton, which is just next to the Kambri cultural centre) will now be open for dining after meet the author events. Food and wine details at https://unihouse.anu.edu.au/eat/symposium/. No bookings necessary.

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