Want to request sexual consent before dating? There's an app for that.
It's called LegalFling. A European tech company designed the smart phone app to send out agreements to have sex -- almost like a legal contract -- "to help in the communication towards consensual sex that is pleasurable for both."
Here's how it works:
If two people decide to take things to the next level, one could scroll through contacts via the app and send a request for sex. The request will show the person's name and picture with a message asking for consent to have sex.
The person asked to have sex could then choose a 'heart' to say 'yes' or an 'X' to say 'no'.
What happens if I change my mind?
The company behind the app says in the climate of the #MeToo movement, they are trying to "remove misunderstandings and prevent unintentional bad situations" by establishing a consensual contract before sex.
But critics say the app is promoting rape culture. Here's the company's response:
No, on the contrary. Getting explicit consent and expressing your do's and don'ts before sex should be the norm, but it typically doesn't happen. LegalFling is a fun and clear way to set the rules before sex.
Though the app generates a legally-binding agreement, both parties do have the right to revoke consent at any point, no matter the circumstance.
This is what the company says to the question "Can I still change my mind?":
Absolutely. "No" means "no" at any time. Being passed out means "no" at any time. Revoking concent is always done verbally at any time and without giving a reason. You never use the app to revoke concent.
In case the rules of consent ware not honered, the app can be used afterwards to secure a statement and get professional help.
Consent through the app won't be legally binding but legal experts said they have other concerns. "This app has the danger of giving people false confidence and thinking they could go a step too far because the other person said yes, and try to take advantage. It can also have victims of sexual assault think that they have no remedy and not go to the police," said 7 Eyewitness News Legal Expert, Florina Altshiler.
The controversial app is still in the works, but developers hope to launch it for Apple and Android by the end of February.
Download a beta version here.
