The Conversations We're Not Having About Sex

Series 2 Episode 16 Overview

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In the second part of our conversation with sex worker advocate Jenna Love and sexologist Dr Giselle Woodley, we examine what meaningful change actually looks like. From the classroom to the courtroom, we explore how evidence-based approaches can reshape our understanding of sexuality education and sex work policy. This episode cuts through moral panic to reveal what young people are actually experiencing and what research tells us works.

This Episode

Jenna Love and Dr Giselle Woodley continue their candid discussion about:

  • The critical gaps in current sexuality education and why teachers avoid talking about sex

  • What teenagers really tell researchers about pornography and pleasure

  • How policy makers ignore research in favour of "vibes-based" decision making

  • Why decriminalisation works and the voices often excluded from policy discussions

  • Practical ways to support comprehensive sexuality education and sex worker rights

  • Moving beyond fear-based approaches to embrace curiosity and evidence

Quotable Moments

"If we were able to take away the morality and the vibes and just look at the facts, we'd be able to see that the sexual risks are not inherently higher or worse than other things." - Jenna Love

"What about the beautiful side of sex? Imagine if we had these conversations... You can really connect with someone, you can be vulnerable and be yourself and have beautiful, pleasurable experiences." - Dr Giselle Woodley

"I would love it if our approach was broadly more evidence-based and less vibes-based in a lot of ways." - Jenna Love

"When you are talking about any marginalized community, I think the key is to think about rather than 'how can I use my voice?' - it's 'how can I uplift their voice?'" - Jenna Love

"It's really important to meet people where they're at. Not everyone's gonna go to a rally, but I think speaking up in whatever capacity you can is really important." - Dr Giselle Woodley

"We really go to 'that's not working, that's harmful - ban, protect, regulate.' That shows no understanding of the plethora of experiences or the nuance." - Dr Giselle Woodley

"A lot of teens are saying to us that unfortunately, consent education is only talking about sex in the context of sexual assault or unwanted sex." - Dr Giselle Woodley

"I'd really like more curiosity and I'd like less calls for regulation. Because if we come to things with curiosity, then we're going to learn something from people we don't normally engage with." - Dr Giselle Woodley

Resources Mentioned

Key Insights

This episode reveals the disconnect between research findings and policy implementation, particularly around social media bans and sexuality education. Both guests emphasise how evidence-based approaches consistently show better outcomes than prohibition-based policies, whether in sex work or digital literacy education.

Connect With Our Guests

Jenna Love is a sex worker who has worked in-person for 12 years and online for 8 of those. She is the President of Scarlet Alliance (Australian Sex Workers Association), co-host of Somebody You Love (a podcast about the adult industry), and producer & co-performer in Whore Walk (a sex work history show). Currently studying a Master of Social Justice, Jenna is also polyamorous and a devoted cat mum. 

 
Dr. Giselle Woodley is a lecturer/research fellow in the School of Arts and Humanities at Edith Cowan University in Australia and is a sexologist with a background in Arts and Media. Her PhD research investigated teens' perspectives of Sexually-Explicit Materials (SEM), including pornography, and teens' experiences of their Relationships and Sexuality Education (both at home, school and online). Giselle is a co-founder of Bloom-Ed a Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) advocacy group, and she is particularly interested in the benefits of RSE and real solutions that work in relation to these issues, which ultimately increase individual we

Connect With Us

A Note on Content

This episode discusses sex work, sexuality, and related topics openly and thoughtfully. It's designed for mature audiences seeking evidence-based conversations that challenge assumptions and centre lived experience. While we discuss sensitive topics, we approach them with respect, nuance, and care.

A Note on Wellbeing

She Speaks is dedicated to amplifying women's voices on self-care and wellbeing from diverse cultural perspectives. While we share research insights and personal experiences, please remember that this podcast is not a substitute for professional mental health.

She Speaks is proudly supported by the Western Australian Government and Department of Communities Women's Grants for a Stronger Future Grants Program.

 

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