Hands up for lasting impact | In conversation with Angelique Wan from Consent Labs

5 December 2024

 

When Angelique Wan co-founded Consent Labs with Joyce Yu in 2016, their mission was simple but ambitious: create a society where young Australians understand and engage in respectful relationships free from violence.

"Consent Labs is a not-for-profit with a bold vision," Wan explains. "We are working towards an Australian society where young people can engage in respectful relationships…free from experiences of violence." Today, the organisation delivers comprehensive consent and respectful relationships education in schools, universities, and communities, reaching thousands of young people across Australia.

With demand growing, Consent Labs faced a significant hurdle in expanding its programs to rural and regional schools, which often lack resources for such initiatives. When Wan pitched at The Funding Network’s Thriving Young People event in Sydney, it opened the door to that expansion, securing critical funding to reach communities that otherwise might not have access to this essential education. One standout project enabled by this funding was a trip to Emmaville Central, a small school in a remote New South Wales town with fewer than 500 residents. "With the funding that we got from TFN, we were able to go out to Emmaville Central and do a comprehensive program with their entire high school, which was so fantastic," Wan shares. For the facilitators, the experience was unforgettable. "They’ve both labeled it as one of their favourite facilitations of all time."

Beyond Emmaville, Wan has been thrilled by the warm reception Consent Labs has received from other schools, particularly in Victoria. "The reception from Victorian schools has blown us all away," she says, noting that much of the demand comes from regional areas rather than metropolitan hubs. As Consent Labs expands, it underscores the widespread need for respectful relationships education, not only for students but for teachers, parents, and entire communities.

Wan attributes the organisation's success, in part, to the power of community-backed funding models like those fostered by The Funding Network (TFN). "The funding model is smart in the sense that it really encourages community buy-in and engagement," she notes. Unlike traditional funding channels, TFN’s approach connects donors directly with the people and stories behind grassroots causes, fostering a shared commitment to social impact. "Seeing the energy in the room…it’s the power of multiple people advocating for the work that you’re doing," Wan explains.

Since launching in 2016, Consent Labs has grown from a team of two passionate volunteers to an organisation of 40 dedicated employees. Their impact is significant and growing: Consent Labs is nearing an impressive milestone, with nearly 100,000 young people educated just as Australia celebrates the International Day of Consent. Reflecting on this achievement, Wan says, "It feels surreal to say that we’ve educated that many people. Like that’s a massive impact number."

The journey of Consent Labs illustrates the transformative power of grassroots support for catalysing social change. As Consent Labs continues to scale and expand, its work remains a vital step toward a future where respect, consent, and safety are the norms for all young people.