We said "You need consent" and thought that was it. But the rapists came back with "Well I kept offering drinks until I got a yes", and "Well I offered these drugs and got a yes", and "Well there was a yes before so it still counts".
So we said "You need sober, continuous consent". But the rapists came back with "Well after I asked relentlessly I got to yes", and "Well after I made threats I got a yes", and "Well I didn't hear no, there was no fighting, no resistance, so that means yes", and "Being in a relationship is automatically a yes every time".
So we said "You need sober, continuous, enthusiastic consent, every single time." But the rapists came back crying "You're making sex too burdensome", and "You'll want us to fill out notarized legal forms next", and "But what about my needs".
It doesn't matter what we say or how we say it. Rapists will always find an excuse for why what they do "isn't rape". That does not make it an unworthy cause, so please do not be discouraged whenever you speak up about the necessity of consent. Just remind yourself that a rapist will always take issue with the matter and learn to simply tell them "You sound like a rapist" and leave it at that every time they complain.
