In a world of Weinsteins, #metoo and on-campus sexual assault, Canberra parents are questioning their role in ensuring the next generation has positive sexual experiences.
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Father-of-two Jeff Thompson has helped organise an event aimed at helping parents and carers discuss sexuality and consent with their teens and pre-teens.
Mr Thompson said conversations among friends revealed their children were suffering from sexist attitudes.
One parent reported her daughter had witnessed a sexual assault but was too scared to report the incident to her school. Others spoke of homophobic, racist and sexist slurs being bandied around the schoolyard.
"Children don't want to talk about how to do sex - they think they know that," Mr Thompson said.
"But they do want to hear about your experiences, what happened for you, why did you choose the partners you chose, what's the emotional reasons behind that, what makes a good boyfriend, what makes a bad boyfriend, how do I be a good boyfriend.
"Rather than saying it's up to the school or it's up to the university or it's up to the college, if we're raising children then this is something for us to think about."
Sex at the Polo, a Politics in the Pub-style event, will be a "lively conversation" with workshops and discussions, Mr Thompson said.
Representatives from Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT and YWCA will attend, as well as mental health and LGBTI advocates.
The event will be hosted by Restorative ANU founder Codie Bell and musician and comedian Chris Endrey.
Mr Thompson emphasised it was an adults-only event.
"If you don't like what we're talking about, please stay away, but if you do want to know some really useful skills about how to talk to your teenager and provide some moral and values-based training to your kids then come along," he said.
A reported released this month by ASG and Monash University found 34 per cent of parents agreed school was the best place for their child to learn about sexuality with 74 per cent of Australian parents saying they could talk openly about sex at home.
Sex at the Polo will be held at the Canberra Polish Club in Turner from 7 to 9pm on Thursday. Entry is $10 with tickets available through the Canberra Musicians Club.
