The federal government has removed that baffling milkshake consent video following backlash from both politicians and the general public.
ICYMI, the now-deleted video was part of a new campaign called “Respect Matters” that provides educational material for schools to teach children about consent.
Despite its intention, the video didn’t actually mention the term ‘consent’ throughout its five-minute runtime, instead opting for a half-baked analogy about milkshakes. The clip shows a girl smearing a milkshake in a boy’s face, which suffice to say was cringe-worthy enough to turn plenty of people off dairy for a while.
The criticism has been swift, with many taking aim at the its confusing messaging and general awkwardness.
Despite the reaction to the now-infamous milkshake consent video, a clip that uses tacos to illustrate the importance of “stopping, asking and listening” in relationships is still available on the campaign’s website.
However, a video that discussed coercion by comparing it to entering shark-infested waters was also removed.
Speaking to ABC News, End Rape on Campus Australia founder Sharna Bremner said she was “torn between wanting to laugh at [the videos] or being generally horrified”.
“The materials are partly incorrect in some places and they are engaged dearly in this weird use of cutesy metaphors,” she said.
“But we know students in these particular aged groups are quite capable of discussing sex and consent in real terms, they do not need videos about milkshakes and tacos.”
“These aren’t videos that speak to any of the serious issues we need people to be discussing.”
Meanwhile, today both Victorian Education Minister James Merlino and NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell criticised the campaign.
“[The video] was confusing, it was cringeworthy,” said Merlino, who is also Victoria’s Acting Premier.
“It just did not hit the mark and, from my perspective as Education Minister, I won’t be recommending schools use that resource in Victorian schools.”
“The feedback I’ve heard from students is they’re just confused about what it is even trying to say. I just think it is a big fail,” he said.
Mitchell agreed, explaining that young people want to be “explicit” when having conversations about consent.
“I think that it’s a missed opportunity about an issue that is really important,” she said.
“I think the intention of the federal government to have a resource that schools and parents can provide is a good one but, to be frank, I don’t really see the benefit of a milkshake or a taco metaphor.”
“I think we should be much more upfront with young people when we talk about these issues.”
According to ABC News, the two videos were removed hours after Merlino and Mitchell released their statements.
A Department of Education, Skills and Employment spokesperson cited “community and stakeholder feedback as the reason for the removal, ABC News reports.
A spokesperson also said the materials in the campaign were created by experts and reviewed by “subject matter experts.”
“The Department of Education, Skills and Employment will continue to work with experts and stakeholders to update and refine content as required,” the spokesperson said.
“Community members, teachers and school leaders were also consulted to ensure the content was engaging for students and consistent with community standards.”
When approached for comment, anti-domestic violence organisation Our Watch said it was consulted about the materials for the Respect Matters campaign but “not asked to use or endorse the materials subsequently”.
In a statement, Our Watch appeared to indicate that a different approach could be more impactful.
“Our Watch advocates for a whole-of-school approach to violence prevention education that addresses the gendered drivers of violence,” the statement read.
“A best-practice approach addresses the drivers of gender-based violence, such as challenging gender stereotypes in teaching materials, role-modelling in the school, and through structural and culture change.”
For more on this topic, head over to the Film & TV Observer.
Check out the now-deleted ‘milkshake consent’ video:
