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I have written three poems to reflect different perspectives on consent. It holds a message that I want to send to students on the importance of consent and it’s effects when alcohol is involved.
Consent is blurred when alcohol is involved, and it is crucial that it is taught when consent is NOT present in this situation. It may seem obvious to the majority, but there is a huge problem with sexual assault and rape within the student community in the UK.
Almost two thirds (62%) of student have experienced sexual violence at UK unis. With this poem I aim to remind and educate those reading, of the danger that the influence of alcohol can have on valid consent from the point of view of the victim.
This poem is assurance that drinking is NOT consent.
You should be able to drink without the thought that someone may try and take advantage of your state; with the assurance that you will not be touched inappropriately.
Steps you can take to ensure that you have consent:
1. Use words, do not just rely on body language.
2. If you are unsure stop and ask.
3. Look for signs that may show that the person is unconscious or too drunk to understand what is going on.
Click the videos for audio
1. Use words, do not just rely on body language.
2. If you are unsure stop and ask.
3. Look for signs that may show that the person is unconscious or too drunk to understand what is going on.
Click the videos for audio
Yes I Drink - The Victim
I drink
Yes, I do
And do not judge
As so do you
I drink
Yes, I do
And do not judge
As so do you
I drink because I can
I drink because it is fun
I can pour myself a drink
I do not need another one
I drink because it is fun
I can pour myself a drink
I do not need another one
Stop edging towards me
As you see me swaying violently after some sips
Hot breath crawling down my neck
As you curl your talons around my hips
As you see me swaying violently after some sips
Hot breath crawling down my neck
As you curl your talons around my hips
A blur of sounds smells and sensations
I am in my own universe
Yet you invade my personal space
Longing to satisfy your needs
At my drunken expense
I am in my own universe
Yet you invade my personal space
Longing to satisfy your needs
At my drunken expense
As you can see I am absent
Not really here
This is a fact you choose to ignore
While you whisper in my ear
Touch increasing
Fingers seeping into places reserved NOT for you
Not really here
This is a fact you choose to ignore
While you whisper in my ear
Touch increasing
Fingers seeping into places reserved NOT for you
Not in this state
Not in this place
This is not consent
Not in this place
This is not consent
My silence is not consent.
The liquor is not consent.
My exhaustion from it, is not consent.
My closed eyes are NOT CONSENT.
The liquor is not consent.
My exhaustion from it, is not consent.
My closed eyes are NOT CONSENT.
But yes, I drink,
Yes, I do.
Yet the difference is,
Between me and you,
Is that I drink because I can and it’s fun.
You drink and create lasting damage,
That cannot be undone.
Now I am numb
Yes, I do.
Yet the difference is,
Between me and you,
Is that I drink because I can and it’s fun.
You drink and create lasting damage,
That cannot be undone.
Now I am numb
Who will I tell?
Do I keep it in?
If I speak I fear the wave of blame will drown me,
Yet the pain of keeping silent, where do I begin?
Do I keep it in?
If I speak I fear the wave of blame will drown me,
Yet the pain of keeping silent, where do I begin?
Seeing you everywhere I go.
Residing in my workplace,
Your habitat is mine
Trying to move forward
Convincing myself that everything is fine...
Residing in my workplace,
Your habitat is mine
Trying to move forward
Convincing myself that everything is fine...
And failing because it is not
Skin getting hot
Brain starting to rot
As I avoid the thought
Distraction is my best friend
We work together well
To keep me sane,
Completely closed within my shell.
Skin getting hot
Brain starting to rot
As I avoid the thought
Distraction is my best friend
We work together well
To keep me sane,
Completely closed within my shell.
Fault - The Defendant
You wanted it.
I know you did.
You didn’t even have to tell me,
Smiling and flirting,
I just implied from this.
You wanted it.
I know you did.
You didn’t even have to tell me,
Smiling and flirting,
I just implied from this.
No point in lying,
It is quite obvious,
That you just regretted it
Well, that’s your loss, I guess.
It is quite obvious,
That you just regretted it
Well, that’s your loss, I guess.
I do not think you realise that when you are drunk,
You graze across my arm as you reach over to grab a cup,
Cold fingers brushing against my skin,
Turning me on, let that sink in.
You graze across my arm as you reach over to grab a cup,
Cold fingers brushing against my skin,
Turning me on, let that sink in.
You expect me to take that another way,
Like you do not want me you’re just being ‘nice’.
That there is nothing more to it, well that’s just lies.
If you objected to it, you would have made a scene, I do not care how drunk you were.
Like you do not want me you’re just being ‘nice’.
That there is nothing more to it, well that’s just lies.
If you objected to it, you would have made a scene, I do not care how drunk you were.
And now your accusations are sticking to me like jeans that do not fit
Squeezing and suffocating me, palms clasping on my neck
I’m in a noose hanging from a tree covered in leaves
The leaves are my friends,
My family,
Everyone under the fucking sun
Squeezing and suffocating me, palms clasping on my neck
I’m in a noose hanging from a tree covered in leaves
The leaves are my friends,
My family,
Everyone under the fucking sun
Yes you can drink
No one said otherwise
But do not use the drink
To assist my suicide
You were fully aware of what was going on
Again you wanted it
No one said otherwise
But do not use the drink
To assist my suicide
You were fully aware of what was going on
Again you wanted it
Nothing about that is wrong.
Admit it,
It was your fault, slut
If you would have just said stop or something
I wouldn’t have delved inside your thong.
Admit it,
It was your fault, slut
If you would have just said stop or something
I wouldn’t have delved inside your thong.
A circular conversation - The Law
Capacity, freedom, and choice are all needed for valid consent,
S74 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Pair this with a lot of alcohol and forgotten moments,
You are likely to end up with an outcome,
With which you do not agree.
Capacity, freedom, and choice are all needed for valid consent,
S74 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Pair this with a lot of alcohol and forgotten moments,
You are likely to end up with an outcome,
With which you do not agree.
