The twenty-first century has certainly presented its fair share of opportunities and obstacles, ranging from differing forms of emerging technology to the social complexities that continue to expand and detract. It is the treatment of other people, based on background, identity, gender, sexuality, and so many other factors, that have taken a time of incredible technological advancement and made it into something not only harmful to some, but dangerous for many. However that is interpreted is up to your discretion, but at the moment, that interpretation is not what I am here to question. Understanding the importance of countless identities, why not discuss one of the most controversial social complexities there is to question; consent (in terms of sex, of course).
From its most basic definition, consent is, “…an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity (RAINN).” Understanding this, and also understanding the levels of complication that surround engaging in any sort of sexual activity, it should be both known of and understood the process by which any people engaging in this fashion are to corroborate their willingness to proceed.
So why hasn’t anything been done for people to do just that? Present a way to prove a level of consent via mobile device? Well, actually there has. And multiple times, to be clear. Just not very well.
ConsentMate, the “new kids on the block,” saw an existing market that presented a model in which these apps only gave their users the option to say yes, and also, only took consent into consideration BEFORE anyone actually engaged sexually. Also, if someone had second thoughts following the interaction, or they were forced into consenting, there was no way of going back and documenting the truth. To some, this made sense. To most ethical people, this model was way out of proportion. What if someone broke the terms of the agreement during the interaction? What if someone is forced into saying yes?
ConsentMate was founded upon those basic ideas. From the core level of design and implementation, ConsentMate based its consent process on a post-event basis. So users, while they do have the ability to set expectations before an interaction, are urged towards and given the ability to fill out a form with their partner(s) after their interaction.
Users are also expected to fill out the form on multiple devices, which will hopefully diminish the pressure surrounding the response of the people involved in the engagement. This response can, unlike most consent applications, allow users to say either yes or no, as opposed to existing applications that only allow saying yes and proceeding.
Following the submission of any agreements with a partner, all information is placed in the safety of 256-bit encryption within their secure vault. You always have access to your specific consent logs via direct reach out through the “Your Records” page. Also, unlike many consent platforms, you have the ability to contact ConsentMate within 48 hours if you have second thoughts about your engagement or were pressured into recording anything.
And to make things even better, ConsentMate is FREE. So being aware of all there is out there, and all society has done to prompt platforms like these, ConsentMate just makes sense. No more dysfunctional consent platforms whose goal is to protect one side and conceal the truth. No more making calling the shots before anything truly happens. Consent has to exist before, during, and after any sexual interaction, and that is what ConsentMate is here to cover. So why wait? Protect yourself for free today!
