A debate on sexual consent has been sparked by a sex education expert, who suggested that parents should ask their children for consent before changing their diapers.

Deanne Carson, affiliated with an organization that educates children on consent, spoke on Australia’s ABC news network about the Saxon Mullins case, a high-profile rape case that ignited a national conversation on consent laws. Carson proposed that parents introduce the concept of consent to children from a young age.

“We work with parents from birth…Just about how to set up a culture of consent in their homes. ‘I’m going to change your nappy now, is that OK?’ Of course a baby’s not going to respond ‘yes mum, that’s awesome I’d love to have my nappy changed’.

“But if you leave a space and wait for body language and wait to make eye contact then you’re letting that child know that their response matters,” she explained.

Carson, who identifies as a sexuality educator, speaker, and author on her Twitter profile, collaborates with Body Safety Australia. This organization aims to prevent child abuse and teaches children from kindergarten to high school about consent and boundary respect.

The organization’s website states, “In empowering children with their rights while educating families and professionals, the burden of responsibility is placed squarely on adults to protect children.”

The topic was later addressed on the Australian news channel Sky News, where Rowan Dean, editor of The Spectator Australia, referred to the suggestion as “lefty lunacy.”