Meh. Not really.

The statement said you 'relented' to sex, not that you said yes.

Not saying no one more time is not the same as saying yes.

If you didn’t say yes, either verbally or by enthusiastically engaging physically, you have not agreed.

If you didn’t say yes, you didn’t consent. Having sex with someone who has not consented is rape.

It wasn’t until that final paragraph that the word yes was used, but that was the author’s description not what the scene actually portrayed.

It’s not really a legal gray area, it’s a gray area in understanding.

No means no.

Yes means yes.

Null does not equal a yes. Null means you’re tired of the damned conversation and having to repeat yourself because some wanker refuses to wrap his brain around:

No means no. It’s not a negotiation. It’s not feminine wiles. It’s not natural resistance you have to push past. It’s not part of “the dance".

No means no. Period. The end. Anything past that and you are acting with a nefarious intent. You’re acting in a manner that subverts another person’s will and autonomy.

You’re acting to harm. You’re acting with criminal intent.

And that’s why it’s rape.

Now, if she or he says, “ok fine. YES! OK! Jeez!! Whatever. Let’s just get it over with so you’ll leave me the hell alone.”

Now you do have consent. Both for the sex and to not enjoy it.

But that’s not what played out in the example given. There was no yes, grudging or otherwise.

You have no argument here.

…

Okay, now having read the whole article, seems like you came around to that in the end. You just focused on her description of events rather than how the even actually played out. And you’re right, there needs to be more clarity within and knowledge of the law.

I stand by what I said though, above and about variance within the law depending on where one is from. Very important to these conversations.

Also that just because one is not criminally negligent based on the letter of the law does not mean one can not be civilly sued for rape or some lesser charge like sexual abuse or coercion or sexual misconduct for the exact same situation. And that needs to be a factor too, in these conversations. Everyone always talks about convictions, which are notoriously hard to get. Pursuing justice through civil suits is more likely to bring about change.

Here’s your bucket of squid back.