Consent for Sexting and Why We Need It
Never put anyone in a sexual scenario they didn’t agree to be in—even online and in writing
Sexual consent should be simple and straightforward: You either have it, or you don’t. According to FRIES, an acronym coined by Planned Parenthood to provide an easy to remember definition states that it is: Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific.
Rape, on the far end of consent violation, is committed at shocking rates all over the world. Still, the distinction between it and consensual sex appears to be mostly clear—at least to the majority. So, while that cringe-worthy last sentence underlines just how important of a topic that is too, it’s not what I wish to speak about here (not now at least…).
The vague area of sexual boundary violations, beyond rape
In between rape and any kind of enthusiastically consented-to sexual activity, is a vague and nuanced area; one where acting without consent wouldn’t be categorized as rape, but are boundary violations nonetheless. This vast grey area, in which we find anything from harassment and manipulative behavior to toxicity and minor oversteps, seems hard to navigate for many. On a frequent basis, I witness (seemingly well-meaning) individuals…
