Introduction:
Consensual and non-consensual terms are often used in the context of giving or not giving consent (will). Sexual consent is a concept that includes both legal and ethical aspects and mandates that any person who engages in sexual conduct with another person be a willing participant. In simple terms, sexual consent is when the partners indulge in any sexual activity with or without sexual intercourse and willingly agree to perform the act. Non-consensual acts are the opposite. However, it may not be easy to understand as there are different non-consensual acts.
What Is Sexual Consent?
Sexual consent is when both people involved mutually agree to have sex. Consent to sexual activity does not permit every type of sexual activity; rather, it indicates consent to specific acts at a given time and in a particular context. It is essential to understand that the absence of the word “no” does not necessarily imply that the person is giving consent to indulge in the activity. A lack of consent means that one or both parties have not agreed to indulge in sexual activities with their partner(s). Consent can be verbal or shown by actions. Sexual assault or rape is when a person is forced to indulge in sexual activity or the partner does not consent.
What Is Non-consent?
The term non-consent is used when either partner does not willingly agree to engage in any form of sexual activity. Non-consent is when the person neither gives any verbal nor any consent in the form of actions. Non-consent sexual act is when a person is forced to engage in sexual activities without their consent or approval. In extreme cases, this criminal victimization can result in severe punishment, serious injury, and even death.
What Is Consensual Non-consent?
Consensual non-consent (CNC) is a form of sexual activity involving behaviors like bondage and submissive and dominant traits. Though the name suggests “nonconsent,” it does not necessarily mean that the sexual interaction is sexual abuse.
In a consensual non-consent, while indulging in sexual activities, both partners agree to act out their forced sexual fantasies and fetishes. Consensual non-consent acts involve having one person’s consent to engage in a forced yet intense sexual activity. It may also involve extreme sexual violence from the dominant partner. Both partners agree to engage in activities they might not be prepared for even before the act.
What Are the Types of Non-consensual Sexual Experiences?
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Active Forced Sex - Actively forced sex involves physical violence, abject helplessness, and intimidation, which on average, represents the worst form of forced sex. Though this does not take away from the severity or effects of other types of forced and non-consensual activities, it may or may not be considered rape, depending on other factors. Actively forced sex and sexual coercion can be understood as exploitation in which the person uses physical or psychological pressure to induce sexual activity.
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Non-resisted Physically Coerced Sex - This is a form of sexual assault that results in unwanted sexual contact due to coercive influence. This includes situations where one feels helpless, cannot resist, cannot escape the situation, or does not get a chance to do so. This might include situations where a person might be forced to consume alcohol and drugs to engage in sexual activities. People may force their partners to have sexual intercourse when they are not in their senses. Non-resisted physically forced sex may also involve sexual activities that are unexpected when the person is awake and unintoxicated.
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Verbal or Situationally Forced Sex - Verbal and situational coercion refers to situations where there is no physical force or verbal consent. These behaviors are characterized by manipulating another person into having sex with them, bribing or offering money, threats, or abuse. As a result, the person may feel pressured, manipulated, or forced into having sex after saying “no” or being uninterested. Some examples of these behaviors include being mean or hurting feelings, threatening to divorce or separate, and showing anger upon sex refusal. In addition, examples include using emotions of guilt to manipulate the emotions. In a few cases, people may manipulate the situation by taking advantage of their compromised situation to indulge in sexual activities.
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Non-coerced Sex With Avoidance Motives - This non-consensual act includes situations in which people mutually agree to engage in sexual activities like intercourse; without any force to prevent a negative consequence or to avoid interpersonal conflict (arguments, fights, or confrontation) with their partners.
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Non-coerced Sex With Approach Motives - These are situations when sex is unwanted. Still, people agree to indulge in sexual activities to pursue a positive outcome, for example, pleasing their partners. This may involve indulging in sex to lift the partner’s mood or provide pleasure, repair the relationship bond, or as an act of reward to mend the friction in the relationship. Some people indulge in sex only to gain attention from their partners, even if they do not want to at that moment.
What Are the Medical Consequences of Non-consensual Sexual Experiences?
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Acts of forced sex can lead to various issues, including physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, and trafficking. This can impact not only the physical but also the mental conditions of the victim.
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Mental health counseling to reduce anxiety and depression and medical treatments help the person overcome the consequences of such traumatic experiences.
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Forced sex can often lead to unwanted pregnancy. At such times a person should seek medical help and can opt for abortion procedures.
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Non-consensual sexual activities could traumatize the victim in a way that could induce suicidal tendencies and affect mental health. In such cases, people should take proper psychiatric help from medical doctors and therapists.
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Forced sexual activities may lead to the transfer of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) like HIV, AIDS, and other diseases. Therefore, people should see or consult a doctor as soon as they start noticing the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases and take proper medications and treatment before it is too late.
Conclusion:
Consensual and non-consensual sexual experiences can affect the physical as well as mental being of the person. Therefore, people indulging in sexual activities without the other person's consent should understand it is an act of crime. In case people who suffer from the consequences of non-consensual sexual experiences should seek medical help and therapy for the same.
