The Problem With Consent - And Why Denmark Hasn't Fixed It

The Problem With Consent - And Why Denmark Hasn't Fixed It

The latest news of 2021, the year where it seems anything is possible, comes from across the world. Denmark is trying to take the number one spot for 'most ridiculous thing ever', with a new app they've launched. 

The app, called iConsent, is a mobile phone app that allows users to 'consent' to one act of sexual intercourse, which is valid for 24 hours. Sexual partners can digitally log their consent with each other, and even record their previous consent records - something which can be brought up should a criminal investigation ever be launched regarding sexual assault.

Unsurprisingly, the app has faced huge amounts of backlash. 

It's clearly been made by a man (duh) who has no idea about the complexities of consent, and how this can legitimise so many dangerous people who now feel entitled to their sexual partner's body.

In theory, a sexual consent app could potentially (maybe) seem like an alright idea. Denmark has recently passed a law in late 2020 that states that if sexual consent isn't explicitly granted by all partners before/during intercourse, then it is considered rape.

Whilst this law in itself is a great step towards defeating rape culture and protecting vulnerable individuals, it certainly doesn't need the accompaniment of a sexual consent app.

The dangers behind this app lie in the fact that it can be very easily abused.

Consenting to sex initially doesn't guarantee consent for the duration of the act. A person has every right to withdraw consent at any time during the act, something which their partner/s must immediately adhere to. But when consent is digitally logged in the app, it becomes a tick-the-box act.

Some people may feel that now this initial consent has been secured, continued securing of the consent isn't needed. This opens up the possibility for someone's withdrawal of consent or desire to stop sex to be ignored.

Sexual consent is a very complex issue. It can come in many forms - verbal confirmation, asking questions, reassurance, and enthusiasm - and can also be withdrawn by various means - verbally asking to stop, doubt, a change in body language, silence, and even more. 

By reducing this crucial part of sexual intercourse to an over-simplified tick-the-box moment, it reduces the importance and gravity of consent.

What's more, it's also dangerous to start relying on an app like this for legal and criminal procedures.

Who's to say what qualifies as legal evidence, and legitimate proof of consent?

I'm not sure on the specificities of the app, but like most apps out there it can be vulnerable to hacking and being taken advantage of. There's no guarantee that the consent logged in the app actually came from the alleged person, or that it wasn't altered before or after the act.

For this to be used as proof or as a character reference for a person who has been accused of sexual assault or rape, it raises the question about how legitimate this can be.

Essentially, the app iConsent is a terrible idea. It's certainly not the right way to solve the 11,400 rape cases in the country every year. 

Hopefully, enough condemnation will force the app makers to reconsider their creation and try and rectify it.

The answer to the growing rape culture and rise of rape cases across the world isn't to turn to apps. Not everything can be solved with technology.