Warning: This story contains details that may disturb some people
A survey of young people has revealed many of them have suffered shocking experiences like sexual violence, pack assault and sextortion.
Three hundred young people have shared their stories, which have been sent to the Ministry of Education by a group lobbying for more instruction around consent.
One woman, now in her early twenties, says she was sexually assaulted during her high school years.
"The first two were of a forced nature, only months between," she told Newshub.
It's not easy to talk about but she wanted to raise awareness about how her school failed in its duty of care.
"They gave one of them a leadership role at the school the next year and the other one was put in one of my classes," she said
To find out how widespread sexual abuse is, lobby group Let's Talk Consent collected 300 anonymous stories from young people in New Zealand, some as young as 12.
"The testimonies show shocking exposure of the level of sexual violence that is happening at schools and happening outside of schools. It is varying from sexual harassment, to the more sinister pack assault, strangulation," Let's Talk Consent co-founder Genna Hawkins-Boulton told Newshub.
And a big part of the problem is mobile phones and social media, which have added a whole new layer of complexity for youth today. They have even spawned a new word in the English lexicon: 'sextortion' - using explicit photos and videos for blackmail.
"Yes, there were times when the assaults were filmed," the victim told Newshub.
It's a huge challenge for high schools.
"Secondary schools are finding complexity in problems involving students and their accessibility to social media and use of other platforms which they don't always use appropriately," said Auckland Secondary School Principals' Association president Greg Pierce.
Sexuality, consent and relationship education is compulsory for schools but what and how they teach it is up to them.
Hawkins-Boulton wants a more unified approach.
"Take a stand and make sure their voices and their stories weren't shared without action being taken," she said.
The Ministry of Education told Newshub it "will be looking at how issues like consent are positioned within the curriculum through the refresh of the health and physical education learning area, starting in 2024".
Because the road to adulthood is complicated enough without the threat of sexual abuse.
Where to get help:
- NZ Police
- Victim Support 0800 842 846
- Rape Crisis 0800 88 33 00
- Rape Prevention Education
- Empowerment Trust
- HELP Call 24/7 (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655 - push 0 at the menu
- Safe to talk: a 24/7 confidential helpline for survivors, support people and those with harmful sexual behaviour: 0800044334
- Male Survivors Aotearoa
