Changes in how rape will be investigated- about time!

I was wondering that Nimpy. The idea in principle is wonderful but in practice how does it work?

but how can you PROVE it?

If a woman says yes, but later claims she didn't, that's it then?

It does begger belief (well, it doesn't, but it should) that some men actually object to being expected to obtain enthusiastic consent from their sexual partners. But yes, this news is very encouraging and I hope it does signal a shift in cultural perceptions that men are entitled to penetrate women's bodies and it's up to women to actively stop them if they don't want it.

I just made the mistake of reading some of the comments. Shocking.

I honestly think that most men, as well as women, should welcome these changes. For men who respect women, they are not at all threatening:

How did you know that she consented?
Well your honour, she removed my clothes, ran her hands over my body and placed my hand on her genitals. I asked if she wanted more and she said, 'God yes, fuck me now.'

If a man always ensures that his partner freely consents, then he has nothing to fear because
a) his partners are very unlikely to make an allegation of rape
b) even if an allegation was made, they'd be able to explain the steps that they'd taken so would have a very strong defence.

It's not a change in the law but a change in police & CPS guidelines.

I'm really very pleased to see this - the "world view" around rape and consent is shifting.

"Mrs Saunders said: “For too long society has blamed rape victims for confusing the issue of consent - by drinking or dressing provocatively for example - but it is not they who are confused, it is society itself and we must challenge that.
“Consent to sexual activity is not a grey area - in law it is clearly defined and must be given fully and freely.
“It is not a crime to drink, but it is a crime for a rapist to target someone who is no longer capable of consenting to sex though drink.
“These tools take us well beyond the old saying 'no means no' - it is now well established that many rape victims freeze rather than fight as a protective and coping mechanism.
“We want police and prosecutors to make sure they ask in every case where consent is the issue - how did the suspect know the complainant was saying yes and doing so freely and knowingly?”

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/11375667/Men-must-prove-a-woman-said-Yes-under-tough-new-rape-rules.html

I just can't read the comments around things like this - the stark, unapologetic misogyny really gets to me.

Practice will probably be slow in changing. But I think the change will have a greater impact societally by sending out the signal that it is men's responsibility not to rape rather than women's responsibility to avoid being raped. It also starts to dismantle the fucked-up ideas about consent.

Sounds very promising! Alison Saunders seems to have her head screwed on properly

It's strange that there are all these men who think that women are just waiting for a change in the law so that they can "cry rape" in genuinely consensual situations. It's as though women aren't supposed to actually enjoy sex at all. Oh wait...

Also in the Guardian

Beware the comments. Apparently a lot of men don't think they should have to have a definite yes before they stick their cocks into women. Or men. Having to prove how they knew a woman had consented is against the basic principles of law, apparently. Shame they don't have to use their real names, would be good to have a list of rapey men really...

Just saw this on Twitter too. If it actually works and is followed, this would be a massive step forward. Nice to have some good news on this!