10 votes

Danish government will consider tabling a bill which would define sex without explicit consent as rape

7 comments

  1. [4]
    ubergeek
    Link
    I'm almost of the mindset "Does this even need to be said", but then realize,"Yeah, it does".

    I'm almost of the mindset "Does this even need to be said", but then realize,"Yeah, it does".

    5 votes
    1. Adys
      Link Parent
      Many modern countries don't recognize "sex without consent" to be rape. That's partly not because of the definition of "rape" but the definition of "consent". I personally like the definition from...

      Many modern countries don't recognize "sex without consent" to be rape. That's partly not because of the definition of "rape" but the definition of "consent".

      I personally like the definition from Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sex-and-relationships/sexual-consent -- but using such a definition also means that, if you treat every single case of non-consensual sex as rape, you'll be categorizing "My SO of 5 years and I had sex drunk then regretted it" the same way as "I was threatened with a knife in a back-alley".

      Now that doesn't mean they'll be treated the same (violence being the main factor), but laws being too broad, especially around sex, is a common problem. The US' national sexual offender registry famously treats "I had a 3am drunk wee in an alley close to a school" the same as much worse things.

      Point is, your "yeah it does" is correct but not because we're in a society filled with people that desperately need things spelled out for them. Rather, because that's how the law works.

      12 votes
    2. [2]
      Omnicrola
      Link Parent
      But this will just allow more attention-deprived women to file false accusations for money! /s Ya, it does need to be said. Also, I always thought colloquialism "to table" something meant to set...

      But this will just allow more attention-deprived women to file false accusations for money! /s

      Ya, it does need to be said.

      Also, I always thought colloquialism "to table" something meant to set something aside for later?

      3 votes
      1. nacho
        Link Parent
        According to Wikipedia: So if you say someone's shelved the proposal everyone's on the same page. Similarly, there's quite often trouble with communication when people across the Atlantic refer to...

        According to Wikipedia:

        In parliamentary procedure, the verb to table has the opposite meaning in different countries: In the United States, to "table" usually means to postpone or suspend consideration of a pending motion. In the rest of the English-speaking world, to "table" means to begin consideration (or reconsideration) of a proposal.

        So if you say someone's shelved the proposal everyone's on the same page.

        Similarly, there's quite often trouble with communication when people across the Atlantic refer to something or someone being liberal. They don't mean exactly the opposite like with tabling motions, but there are large differences.

        4 votes
  2. Archimedes
    Link
    Note that the term "tabling" has different meanings in different parts of the world. In the US, it more often means removing an issue from the discussion.

    Note that the term "tabling" has different meanings in different parts of the world. In the US, it more often means removing an issue from the discussion.

    5 votes
  3. [2]
    jgb
    Link
    Wait, how's it defined right now?

    Wait, how's it defined right now?

    2 votes
    1. multubunu
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      It's not clear from the article, but I guess the key part is explicit consent. Both consent and dissent can be expressed explicitly (yes/no) or implicitly, e.g. through body language. I suppose...

      It's not clear from the article, but I guess the key part is explicit consent. Both consent and dissent can be expressed explicitly (yes/no) or implicitly, e.g. through body language. I suppose the current law sanctions explicit opposition (no means no), without requiring explicit consent.

      We'll have to wait for an article on the actual wording of the law to be able to discuss it.

      2 votes