UK: Men should get consent before sex
Men must make sure they gain consent before having sex to avoid being sent to jail, the British government is saying in a new hard-hitting advertising campaign.
The £400,000 campaign comes amid low conviction rates for rape cases in England and Wales. Changes to the law are also being considered.
Using provocative imagery and down-to-earth language, the ads will warn that consent is active, not passive, and that unless women actively say "yes" to sex, men must assume the answer is "no".
So all you British men, at those mad hot moments, no matter what that woman you're with is doing, and even if she started it all, and even if you're both already naked, and even if it looks and, hmmm, feels like she's building you up for sex, don't forget to just stand up, step back, put a serious face on and ask her for her consent to have sex.
But as verbal consent means nothing in court, and as it could be illegal to have it recorded, it's better to have a little form ready for her to sign.
In fact, you could have more than one form, you know like visas for single or multiple entries and stuff.
I mean, I totally agree that rape is one of the worst crimes there ever could be and that people who commit rape crimes should be strictly punished, but still I find this campaign is a bit unrealistic and useless.
[Source: CNN]
Britain Aims to Abolish Gasoline and Diesel Cars by 2040 The ONE Campaign Anti-Smoking Awareness Campaign Launched In Tunisia Stop Bush Campaign in UK ! US To Block Anti-Poverty Campaignloool even before i finished reading what you wrote i was thinking to myself, wait a minute, in court this is considered hearsay. So are they supposed to like sign a form?
Posted by: Nas at March 15, 2006 04:13 PMloool...
Great minds think alike my friend ;)
Yeah, plus with forms, there could be checkboxes and she could check all the stuff she's willing to do :P
Posted by: MMM at March 15, 2006 04:28 PMThe ad is helpful at least, to make people be aware of a problem that may occur. A lot of people react differently to fear. Many, and I would like to emphasize, MANY people freeze up in fear. How do you think it happens when girls get molested. An uncle or stranger or SOMEONE starts fondling them and they freak out by freezing up and staying very still, letting them do what they want. They later on start feeling that they had LET it happen to them because they didn't do anything when IN FACT, that is just how they react to fear. Staying frozen and being confused as to what's going on.
This has happened NUMEROUS times in rape cases. Two people start making out, the other goes further and further thinking that her saying nothing gives the green light, and bam, he's had unconsented sex with her. When asked he'd say, "Well yeah... She just laid there, but I thought she was just unexperience or that it was just boring sex." When in fact, she was just frozen in fear and confusion. Sure, he didn't know, but had he backed up for one second and asked for consent, AT LEAST he would've given her the opportunity to back out and say, "Well... maybe we shouldn't." Or "I don't know how comfortable I am about doing this tonight." Sure, it's sugarcoating, but now you know that she's not 100% about going that far. I'm sure most guys don't wanna rape women, even unintentionally, so if that's really the case, I would suggest to ask.
It's all hearsay if the woman is conniving and is trying to get money from you. But I am SURE that most rape cases are legit and that the woman isn't lying about being raped. Mostly when she's got bruises on her face and body, which many times is the case.
In any case, I know where you're coming from and I understand what you're saying. Just thought I'd mention another perspective on the ad. :-) You know how I am... Always throwing in my 2 cents.
Posted by: Jenn at March 15, 2006 05:30 PMJenn, I totally understand :)
Thanks for giving another perspective on the whole issue. It's true that there are cases like that. I guess the responsibility lies on both sides to make sure they're both comfortable with every step they take in their relationship and to try and understand each other as much as possible.
And your 2 cents are always welcome here anyday Jenn :)
Posted by: MMM at March 15, 2006 05:42 PM