California debates ‘yes means yes’ sex-assault law

[joiedumonde]

SAN DIEGO - College students have heard a similar refrain for years in campaigns to stop sexual assault: No means no.

Now, as universities that are facing pressure over the handling of rape allegations adopt policies to define consensual sex, California is poised to take it a step further. Lawmakers are considering what would be the nation’s first

Comments

[astridmyrna]

The legislation initially stated that “if there is confusion as to whether a person has consented or continues to consent to sexual activity, it is essential that the participants stop the activity until the confusion can be clearly resolved.”

FUCKING. YES. YESSSSS.

After some interpreted that as asking people to stop after each kiss to get a verbal agreement before going to the next level, the bill was amended to say consent must be “ongoing” and “can be revoked at any time.”

*weeps*

I hope this bill gets passed. We really do need to teach people what consent is, that it can be revoked at any time, and to not do anything in case there is "confusion".

TRIGGER WARNING

[zinnia_rose]

I'm certainly in favor of the mentality behind the bill. I'm not sure how much it will change things, though. It will still come down to he said/she said in so many cases, only instead of "she didn't say no!" it'll be "she wasn't really unconscious/she consented nonverbally/she seemed really into it/she moaned/she spread her legs/she nodded/ad nauseum". However, I'm generally in favor of legislating change we want to see in society and hoping the shift in public opinion follows (legalizing gay marriage, for example). I hope this will make convicting rape cases where the victim was unconscious or otherwise incapacitated easier. There was recently a case in Connecticut where a women with pretty significant disabilities was raped and her rapist was acquitted because she didn't say no (she's nonverbal) and she didn't fight back or try to get away (she has very limited mobility and uses a wheelchair). This law might have helped convict the sicko.

Re: TRIGGER WARNING

[qara_isuke]

...................what the fuck, no. Someone that is non-verbal and has limited mobility isn't going to be able to say no or fight back.

That judge is bullshit. That jury is even bigger bullshit.

[qara_isuke]

I have said it multiple times, but I think it bears saying again:

Consent is sexy.

I mean, seriously, what is better than your partner encouraging you, telling you how awesome it is, singing your praises like in Young Frankenstein? (Okay, maybe not literally singing....)

Talk to each other. Communicate.