Entitlement, not malice, drives youth sexual assault, says Chanel Contos
Founder of Teach Us Consent argues that algorithmic feeds and pornography are reshaping adolescent behaviour, prompting calls for a digital duty of care and alternative justice mechanisms.
Chanel Contos, founder of the organisation Teach Us Consent, has argued that entitlement is the primary driver of sexual assault among adolescent boys in Australia. In an opinion piece published in The Guardian, Contos contended that violent pornography and algorithmic social media feeds are teaching young people to prioritise their own sexual gratification, often at the expense of others.
The argument comes as adolescent boys have overtaken adult men as the most likely perpetrators of sexual violence against under-18-year-olds in both Australia and the United States. Contos cited the Australian child maltreatment study, which found that 18.2 per cent of Australians aged 16 to 24 experienced sexual abuse by an adolescent before the age of 18. This figure is notably higher than the 12 per cent who reported experiencing abuse by an adult.
Contos noted that criminal lawyers have observed a significant drop in the age of defendants and complainants in courtrooms. She reported a concurrent rise in violent sexual behaviours among youth, including strangulation and anal tearing. These behaviours, she argued, are often exposed to children through mainstream pornography, which remains the primary form of sex education for many young Australians.
Drawing on forensic research, Contos reclassified the "opportunist rapist" as the "entitled opportunist". She described this type of offender as socially competent and predatory, with offences that are unplanned and exhibit minimal violence. Unlike other offender types, the "entitled opportunist" is unlikely to reoffend if held accountable, suggesting that the current criminal system may not be the most effective response for these cases.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the "stark and distressing increase" in youth-on-youth sexual violence during question time in Parliament. The Prime Minister responded to a query from independent MP Zali Steggall regarding the government’s plans to address the worsening issue of gender-based violence. Contos welcomed this recognition, stating that as the problem evolves, solutions must also adapt.
Contos called for a robust digital duty of care to address predatory social media algorithms, suggesting that an option to turn off recommendation algorithms in favour of chronological feeds could help prevent tech-induced harm. She also advocated for alternative mechanisms of justice outside the criminal system for young offenders, arguing that the current system is unsuitable for children and that effective, restorative responses can prevent further harm.
