Affirmative Consent And Its Effect On Sexual Activity

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What many states have defined in law as full consent of both parties states that both parties agree to and show excitement and willingness to partake in sexual intercourse. Yet even with such definition there are still gray areas that need to be addressed. For example if consent is given initially and midway through the act, one party retracts the consent without voicing concern to the other party, then by the redefinition of rape it is considered as such. California recently passed a bill that defines consent in the state.
“ An affirmative consent standard in the determination of whether consent was given by both parties to sexual activity. 'Affirmative consent ' means affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity. It is the responsibility of each person involved in the sexual activity to ensure that he or she has the affirmative consent of the other or others to engage in the sexual activity. Lack of protest or resistance does not mean consent, nor does silence mean consent. Affirmative consent must be ongoing throughout a sexual activity and can be revoked at any time. The existence of a dating relationship between the persons involved, or the fact of past sexual relations between them, should never by itself be assumed to be an indicator of consent.”
This statement looks open to interpretation and abuse by people. Stating that consent has to be “affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity” does not actually describe the means through which acceptable consent under this law can be given. The bill does not give concrete definitions and in turn the definition falls on the judges beliefs and is not concurrent with how the justice system should work.
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