Webster's dictionary defines consent as, “to agree to do or allow something: to give permission for something to happen or be done.” In light of recent events (aka the sentencing of Stanford rapist, Brock Turner), I thought this needed to be defined. Consent is asking someone if they want to engage in sexual activity, and in turn, getting a reply. This reply may be “yes, no or not right now;” however, if someone is unable to speak, they are not able to consent. Think of consent like a traffic light. Green means go, or in this case yes. A yellow light often means to slow down, or proceed with caution. In other words, if someone seems like they're not into what you're doing, stop and check with them. If a light is red, you must stop. There is no ifs, ands, or buts. If you can understand how to read a traffic light, you should be able to grasp what consent is.
Brock Turner did not get this memo. He simply acted on his desires, and because of his actions, an innocent girl will be haunted for the rest of her life. Rape is defined as, “an unlawful sexual activity and usually sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against the will usually of a female or with a person who is beneath a certain age or incapable of valid consent.” It can also be defined as, “an outrageous violation.” Brock Turner did not get consent, making him a rapist. Over 50% of rape cases are not reported because victims do not want to relive the trauma when only 7 out of every 1000 accused rapists walk free.
The woman Brock Turner raped definitely experienced an outrageous violation of her body, personal space, and inner peace. My question for Brock Turner, and anyone that sympathizes with him is: When did silence become a “yes?” When did our world turn into one that would put a rapist in protective custody, and condemn his victim? When did student athletes get to be criminals, just because they might go to the Olympics one day? When did men become boys, and when did boys will be boys start to mean boys will be rapists? If you’re still having trouble figuring out what consent is, here’s a video that puts it into very simple terms.
