A new study conducted by Alexandra Brodsky for the Columbia Journal of Gender and Law has found a disturbing rise in the sex trend called “stealthing” (when a man removes a condom during sex without his partner’s consent). Humans are depraved. To be sure.
Brodsky began the study after finding out that several of her friends were being mistreated by their sexual partners. In her research, she found that victim’s not only felt violated after having been “stealthed,” but didn’t know how to report the behavior, or whether or not it was “rape”.
However, Dr. Sinead Ring of the University of Kent explained that this type of behavior violates consent:
“…just because someone consents to sex with a condom does not mean they are consenting to sex without a condom. It is so important to know that consent is not a one-time transaction; enthusiastic consent should be clear throughout every step of a sexual encounter.”
If you weren’t aware of this trend, you aren’t alone. However, it IS gaining popularity thanks to it being widely discussed- and encouraged- online in certain Internet circles. But they aren’t stopped there, you can also find message boards dedicated to tips of the trade (i.e., how to remove a condom without your partner finding out). From the article:
From the article:
“According to the study, there are men who believe they are entitled to ‘[spread] their seed’ and see ‘stealthing’ as a tactic that is within their rights. Proponents of ‘stealthing’ root their support in an ideology of male supremacy in which violence is a man’s natural right.”
Brodsky hopes this study will bring the issue of sexual violence to the forefront and give people the tools they need to talk it more openly and seek help when they need it.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can get help by calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
Source: Teen Vogue
