This episode is Part 1 of Anne's interview with Rachel Moran. Part 1: "Consent" Is Harming Us - Here's What You Need to Know (this episode)Part 2: Male Entitlement to Women's Bodies: The Ugly Truth




What if the term consent has been harming women all along?



Rachel Moran, founder of Space International and author of Paid For, My Journey Through Prostitution, shares her incredible insights and offers correct language that affirms sexual autonomy. Tune in to The BTR.ORG Podcast and read the full transcript below or more.



Here's How the Term "Consent" is Harming Women




"The concept of consent is the biggest part of the problem. People say to themselves, oh, well, she consented.  And as long as those women are consenting, well, then no harm, no foul. But the term consent and the concept of consent is misplaced - not only in prostitution, but in conversations about every kind of sexual exchange. Because sex is supposed to be about mutuality, not consent. The term consent is far better suited for commercial exchanges or other kinds of exchanges that are not human, deeply human in their interactions.



As soon as we start talking about consent, we remove the intimacy. We remove what it is that actually passes between two people in a sexual exchange and it's not supposed to involve money or any kind of coercion."



Rachel Moran, Founder of Space International




Let's Use "Sexual Mutuality"




"The thing is that there is a daily tsunami of abuse and violation that's not only covered up, concealed, but actually condoned through the use of the word consent. At this point, I think it's a frankly dangerous word. In prostitution, it's a sexual one-way street. He's getting the sex that he wants. She's getting the money that she needs. And there is no mutuality whatsoever, which is exactly why the term consent is misapplied.



Let's talk about mutuality, sexual mutuality, because what you're talking about there is a sexual two-way street. And I really do think mutuality is that word."



Rachel Moran, Founder of Space International 




BTR.ORG Is Here For You



At BTR.ORG, we understand the pain of processing sexual coercion in an intimate relationship. Please don't bear this trauma alone. Consider attending a BTR.ORG Group Session today.





















































Full Transcript:



Anne (00:01):Welcome to BTR.ORG. This is Anne.



Rachel founded and led Space International, an international organization formed to give voice to women who have survived the abusive reality of prostitution. She's also the author of the best-selling book Paid For, My Journey Through Prostitution. This book is regarded by legal scholar Katherine McKinnon as the best work by anyone on prostitution ever.



(02:16):We are so excited to have you on. Thank you so much for your time, Rachel.