Consent Is Not A Riddle

Posted on by Amanda Boyd

Over recent years, the term “consent” has proven to confuse people. Now, not everyone is puzzled by this simple word, defined in the Merriam-Webster as: “(n:) compliance in or approval of what is done or proposed by another”. But, enough of the world’s population is so mystified by this word and corresponding meaning that it frequently finds its way into social media spheres, courtrooms, and even mass protests organized by thousands of women- begging people to try to understand this simple concept. In the past month, #ThisIsNotConsent arose on multiple social media platforms, usually accompanying images of underwear, to show support for a young woman who took her own life after being forced to hold up the underwear she was wearing the night of her rape during trial in Ireland.  Most of these hashtags show support of the woman in the case, while some opposing views clarify the practice of using underwear as evidence in defence of an accused rapist. Though these sides are not directly opposing, it shows that some people are looking at this as an issue with the law, and others are viewing it as an issue of culture and society.

 

 

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