‘To what extent should sexual consent be considered conditional? In
constructing your answer, consider whether accurate disclosure regarding health
conditions, willingness to usecontraception and gender ought to be central to a
legally valid consent to sex.’
Consent is imperative when determining whether or not someone is guilty of a sexual
offence. It is present in both the actus reus and mens rea element of various sexual
offences.For example, the actus reus element of rape asks whether or not the victim
consented, whilst the mens rea element asks whether or not the defendant reasonably
believed that the victim consented. There are various ways in which to approach the
matter of consent. It can be presumed conclusively or evidentially. It is also generally
defined in s.74 Sexual Offences Act 2003 as ‘a person gives consent if he agrees by
choice and has the freedom andcapacity to make that choice.’ There are also cases
where consent may have been given, but it was not valid. For example, consent
provided through pressure or mistaken consent. This essay seeks to focus on the
matter of conditional consent in relation to such factors and whether or not the law
surrounding consent is satisfactory.
In some cases, the victim will have given conditional consent to sex. They consent to
sex, butonly if X…In such a case if X is not present, there will be no consent. A case
example would be that of Assange v Swedish Prosecution Authority, in which the
woman only agreed to have sex with a condom. Sex without a condom would therefore
quite simply be an act to which she had not consented. Assange, on two separate
occasions, allegedly had sex without a condom with women who had only agreed to
have sex on the condition that he wore a condom. He therefore would be guilty of an
offence under the 2003 Act. As sexual offences are extremely grave, with rape reaching
the peak of severity, it is important that consent governs the ways in which a person
feels comfortable to participate in such activities. In this case, it is likely that the women
involved felt the need to use contraception in order to protect themselves. This decision
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller mayaharrison. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $8.38. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.