A POLICE poll has revealed that one in five Scots believes having sex with someone too drunk to give consent is not rape.
Police Scotland’s official Twitter page asked: “If you have sex with an intoxicated person who is unable to give explicit consent, is that rape?.”
Currently just over 10,000 votes have been cast, with 20% of those answering ‘No’.
Social media users were shocked that such a high percentage of people believe that it does not constitute rape.
One said: “20% no? That’s truly problematic.”
Another said: “Bit shocked at how many think the answer is no.”
Another added: “I think I would want a word with those who voted #NO to that question.”
Another added: “A quarter, a f****** quarter think no. Really?”
The post has also sparked debate amongst social media users, with hundreds of replies having been sent in.
Darian Cross asked: “Define intoxicated? As in what degree of intoxication does one need to be at where their consent is not considered explicit? Also does it matter if I am equally or more so intoxicated? As in if they are too intoxicated to give consent am I too intoxicated to be accountable?”
When John Bell told him: “A helpful hint, if in doubt, don’t get it out”, he replied: “So basically never have sex ever because the woman could always say I was too intoxicated to give consent and regret my decision therefore rape.”
Stephanie Farrell said: “Obviously unable to consent means falling asleep not conscious. But if I’m drunk and had sex and regretted it the next morning then no it’s not rape.”
Another said: “What if you wake up and can’t remember having sex never mind whether you gave “consent” or not? If you don’t remember then you weren’t capable of giving consent.
The question then would be was the partner equally intoxicated & incapable of making a rational choice.”
Lynne Manson summed up the feelings of many of the replies when she said: “If you have to ask for explicit definitions you’re probably the problem. If it’s not clear don’t f****** do it.
The post also attracted the attention of sick trolls.
One said: “Not if you make sure they dont wake up.”
Police Scotland this week launched their “We Can Stop It” campaign which aims to drive home the message that sex without consent is rape.
