Key Takeaways

• Grazia needed to raise awareness about the ‘rough sex’ defence in the UK and to advocate for legislative change.
• In conjunction with We Can’t Consent to This, Grazia launched the Ban The ‘Rough Sex’ Defence campaign, gathering 10,000 signatures on Change.org and securing support from MPs.
• In a landmark move, the Government published a new clause to the Domestic Abuse Bill which – if the law is passed – will end the so-called ‘rough sex’ defence.

One page summary

Quote

“Grazia played a key role in winning this vital change in the law to protect women from male sexual violence. It was Grazia’s challenge to Boris Johnson in last year’s election campaign that got him to promise to end the rough sex defence. Thanks to all at Grazia for sticking with this campaign and to readers who signed and shared this demand.”

Harriet Harman MP

“We’re happy to call this a victory. This is such a clear statement by the government. We’re so proud that Grazia and its readers have pushed this with us, and everyone who has gotten involved should feel rightfully pleased at helping make this change.”

Fiona Mackenzie, Founder, We Can’t Consent To This

The Challenge

Grazia’s campaign, Ban the ‘Rough Sex’ Defence, stemmed from the distress caused by the murder of Grace Millane and the subsequent trial, where her killer used the controversial ‘rough sex’ defence. Labour MP Harriet Harman raised the issue in Grazia’s ‘What’s Up in Westminster?’ section, leading the magazine to collaborate with the campaign group We Can’t Consent To This (WCCTT). Shocking statistics revealed that 59 women in the UK had been killed in cases where the perpetrator claimed the violence was consensual. Grazia felt compelled to act, setting two objectives: to raise awareness about the ‘rough sex’ defence and to advocate for legislative change by adding a new clause to the Domestic Abuse Bill.

The Plan/Execution

Grazia, in collaboration with WCCTT, launched the Ban The ‘Rough Sex’ Defence campaign. The campaign aimed to educate readers about the prevalence of this defence and broader issues surrounding consent, BDSM shaming, and modern dating. In November 2019 Grazia leveraged Change.org to launch a petition, which quickly garnered 10,000 signatures. The campaign was promoted extensively online, on social media, and in the magazine, with support from MPs Harriet Harman and Laura Farris. Exclusive interviews with Grace Millane’s friends, conducted with family permission, added a personal dimension to the campaign. Grazia also interviewed political leaders, including Boris Johnson, urging them to commit to legislative change. Additionally, Grazia submitted evidence to parliamentary select committees to advocate for legal reform.

The Results

In a landmark move, the Government published a new clause to the Domestic Abuse Bill which – if the law is passed – will end the so-called ‘rough sex’ defence. The clause ‘Consent to serious harm for sexual gratification not a defence’ would mean attackers and murderers can no longer claim their victim consented to violence during sex that then resulted in harm.

Grazia continues to fight for this issue because it believes it affects its readers and all women today, to date the change.org petition has more than 68,000 signatures, revealing the passion and activism of Grazia’s readers.

Hattie Brett, Editor of Grazia said: “Just under seven months ago, Boris Johnson told readers of Grazia magazine that he agreed the so-called ‘rough sex’ defence was unacceptable and that he would make sure the law was clear. We’re thrilled to see that today the government has taken steps which will save lives, ensure justice and mean no person or family has to sit in court and hear an attacker say their victim ‘asked for it’.”