Sexual abuse of a child will no longer be referred to as "an unlawful relationship" in South Australia's criminal code, under legal changes introduced in the state's parliament on Thursday.
The change is the result of a campaign being led by abuse survivor and former Australian of the Year Grace Tame.
Ms Tame said she was concerned the current wording — which uses the word "relationship" — implied consent, diminishing the gravity of the offence.
"Words hold immense weight," Ms Tame said.
"The previous terminology also gave scope for the sexualisation and adultification of boys and girls in a particularly dark, twisted context."
Ms Tame said the legislation must reflect the seriousness of the crime.
"For so long adult perpetrators have authored the narratives around child sexual abuse, not just in the minds of their victims but also in the mainstream consciousness," she said.
"I really hope we can really start to change that and we can start to break down this myth that children are to be seen and not heard.
"It is time for boys and girls to start authoring their own experience."
In response, the state government said it would change the wording of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act from "unlawful sexual relationship with a child" to "sexual abuse of a child".
It is similar to changes made in Queensland, the ACT, New South Wales and Tasmania.
The Northern Territory is the only jurisdiction that has not made the change.
Change will give victim-survivors 'dignity and respect'
South Australia's Attorney-General Kyam Maher said it was a small, but important change.
"No child can consent to a sexual relationship with an adult," Mr Maher said.
"The description of a sexual relationship is insulting and it incorrectly describes the lack of consent a child can give to engage in such behaviour."
The change will be introduced into South Australia's Legislative Council on Thursday, and has the support of the Greens and SA Best, meaning it will pass.
SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros said the change will remove connotations that "simply aren't accurate".
"The very least we can do, at least when it comes to reporting on these issues, is ensure that the language we use describes the severity of the offending for the victim's sake."
Greens MLC Tammy Franks said the changes will give victim-survivors "dignity and respect".
"The parliament can't give victim-survivors of child sexual abuse back their childhood but … we can listen to them and we can reflect with the words that we have in our legislation the realities," she said.
The state government is also undertaking a broader review of its sexual consent and abuse laws, including other issues raised by Ms Tame.
