In light of recent court cases involving sexual assault, public perceptions of injustice, and high school protests on the issue across B.C., the Elizabeth Fry Society sheds light on the culture of consent.

91裸聊视频淒o not touch people if they do not seem like they can give consent,91裸聊视频� said Samantha, team lead for victim services at Elizabeth Fry. (Her surname is not being published due to security concerns.)

READ MORE: West Kelowna students call for action against alleged sexual assaults

In a recent Kelowna court case, four men were acquitted after being charged with sexual assault following a night of alcohol consumption and sex. The judge91裸聊视频檚 decision prompted oft-heard public criticism.

READ MORE: Weak evidence leads to acquittal of 4 men in Kelowna sexual assault case

It91裸聊视频檚 a complex and controversial subject.

91裸聊视频淲hen alcohol becomes involved, it is a grey area,91裸聊视频� she said, referencing the Canadian judicial system.

Asked in general terms about the legality surrounding a person91裸聊视频檚 ability to give consent while under the influence of alcohol, criminal defence lawyer Timothy Foster told the Capital News that it91裸聊视频檚 not clear-cut under the law and is dependent on the situation.

91裸聊视频淟egally, you can91裸聊视频檛 give informed consent if you91裸聊视频檙e incapacitated,91裸聊视频� said Foster. 91裸聊视频淵ou can91裸聊视频檛 give consent if you91裸聊视频檙e passed out and unconscious.91裸聊视频�

However, 91裸聊视频淪ometimes people are blacked out, but they91裸聊视频檙e still walking, talking, and saying and doing things, and it91裸聊视频檚 just their memory that doesn91裸聊视频檛 work anymore.91裸聊视频�

In that condition of being 91裸聊视频渂lacked out91裸聊视频� drunk, Foster said, 91裸聊视频淟egally, yes, you can give informed consent, even if you don91裸聊视频檛 remember.91裸聊视频�

However, the Elizabeth Fry Society91裸聊视频檚 stance is that,91裸聊视频渋f you are intoxicated, you cannot consent,91裸聊视频� said Samantha.

91裸聊视频淵ou are not in the right place of mind to consent to sexual activity.91裸聊视频�

If the person is intoxicated, just assume they cannot give consent, even if they say yes, she said, stressing that if there is any uncertainty involving the ability of your sexual partner to agree to sexual activities, 91裸聊视频渏ust don91裸聊视频檛 do it.91裸聊视频�

Samantha also added the need for explicit, verbal confirmation that your partner is a willing participant.

If you don91裸聊视频檛 know the person well and haven91裸聊视频檛 had a conversation about consensual sex, prior to drinking, 91裸聊视频渏ust don91裸聊视频檛 do it91裸聊视频� she said.

She wants survivors of sexual assault to know that they are not alone, emphasizing that the Elizabeth Fry organization believes survivors and will listen to them. Their purpose is to help victims of assault move forward and find healing.

91裸聊视频淲e will help you figure out the next steps,91裸聊视频� she said.

She said seeking legal justice can be one step in the healing process for people, but unfortunately it doesn91裸聊视频檛 always happen.

91裸聊视频淚 explain to my clients that you are up against a difficult system. The system has failed victims again and again 91裸聊视频� it91裸聊视频檚 a shame that the system is set up in the way that it is.91裸聊视频�

Samantha wants to encourage people to come forward and speak about their experience with sexual assault.

91裸聊视频淭he more people that come forward, the more the system will learn and change.91裸聊视频�

READ MORE: Coldstream students take a stand for sexual consent in walkout

READ MORE: Trial starts in Kelowna for 4 men accused of sexual assault, unlawful confinement

Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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