Emily Atack says her past drunken sexual encounters with men were rape because she can’t remember them and she didn’t say ‘yes’ – as she fronts affirmative consent campaign

Emily Atack says her past drunken sexual encounters with men were rape because she can't remember them and she didn't say 'yes' - as she fronts affirmative consent campaign

As an ardent fan of Emily Atack, I find myself deeply moved and admiring her courage to speak out about her personal experiences with sexual encounters that she now views as uncomfortable and, in some cases, rape. Her honesty and vulnerability in discussing these matters are truly inspiring, and I believe it is essential for such conversations to be had in order to create a safer and more understanding society.


Emily Atack has shared insights into distressing sexual situations, looking back at instances she considers to be non-consensual, due to alcohol involvement.

34-year-old actress from The Inbetweeners series shares her thoughts on the topic of consent. She’s spearheading a movement known as ‘affirmative consent‘, aimed at altering laws so that both parties engaged in a sexual act must explicitly agree to continue.

In a conversation on her Great Company podcast, Jamie Laing shared that there have been very few instances where she genuinely enjoyed having sex, and there were multiple moments when she couldn’t recall ever sleeping with someone.

As a fervent admirer, I’ve come to realize that my previous interactions, which I once deemed ordinary, now carry a different connotation. It’s become evident to me that society has ingrained in women the need to suppress their feelings regarding intimacy. This suppression leads many to view sex while intoxicated to the point of being unable to consent as ‘the norm’.

Emily mentioned that her experiences with intimacy have generally been awkward or unpleasant. In truth, she might be able to recall fewer than five instances where she genuinely enjoyed the act of sexual intercourse.

In my youth, the dynamics between boys and girls were challenging and unstructured. We lacked guidance and clear boundaries during our teenage years, making it difficult for us to navigate social interactions effectively. It often felt like a chaotic mix-up.

Emily Atack says her past drunken sexual encounters with men were rape because she can't remember them and she didn't say 'yes' - as she fronts affirmative consent campaign

Emily Atack says her past drunken sexual encounters with men were rape because she can't remember them and she didn't say 'yes' - as she fronts affirmative consent campaign

Emily shared her perspective, “For years, I’ve navigated life under the assumption that when you awaken following a late-night escapade, unsure of what transpired, one must simply brush it off and move forward. However, upon further reflection…

It seems as though it’s highly unlikely anyone would attempt… frankly, it’s not beneficial to pursue the line of thought ‘but I can’t recall, I can’t recall anything about that’.

‘Yeah, awful, I’ve woken up so many times and been like “I definitely didn’t say yes to that’.’

In a recent statement, the actress playing a leading role in the Disney+ version of Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rivals, commented that some men are taking advantage by engaging in sexual activities with intoxicated women.

Inquired whether any of her sexual encounters had left her feeling embarrassed, upset, or angry, she replied: ‘Yes, they have, but the feelings have been suppressed for so long, we were taught for such a prolonged period that such experiences were somewhat common during sex – waking up after a gathering and thinking, “Oh my, Jesus Christ, I’m not sure what happened, never mind.” Then you just move on.’

‘We’re taught that that was like normal.

The issue at hand is becoming more openly discussed, leading to a growing number of individuals disclosing their past experiences with rape. This revelation can be emotionally challenging for them as they share their stories with others.

Additionally, it’s just as challenging for men, as they become agitated due to fear. Many men may feel a sense of identification, thinking, “I’ve been in similar situations before.

“Some parents might find themselves preparing their children’s school uniform and upon hearing this, they may suddenly pause and recall a similar past experience with a thought such as ‘I’ve been there before.’

Many individuals may find it difficult to accept when they are informed that something they had previously considered acceptable is now recognized as rape. This is because, unfortunately, many people have engaged in such behavior at some point in their lives.

‘That’s why it’s so difficult to go there.’

Emily Atack says her past drunken sexual encounters with men were rape because she can't remember them and she didn't say 'yes' - as she fronts affirmative consent campaign

Emily is spearheading a movement initiated by CPB London, advocating for a revision in the existing laws concerning rape and sexual assault.

The petition, gathering 10,000 signatures within just five days, states its concern about existing legislation on sexual assault and rape. Specifically, it points out that these laws permit an assumption of consent and take into account the offender’s supposed “beliefs” regarding the situation.

A consent model that emphasizes explicit approval throughout all stages of interaction can help avoid confusion or misinterpretation. Notably, the Sexual Offences Act has been in place for twenty years now.

It is proposed that we reassess our consent model, taking into account global shifts and enhancing survivor protection within courts. This revised approach emphasizes a shift from the lack of a ‘no’ to the affirmative expression of a ‘yes’.

Emily, expressing her disdain towards men who send lewd messages to women, stated: “I never asked for these, I don’t desire them, yet it seems irrelevant.

In essence, this issue highlights the crux of the matter: Consent is crucial in preventing sexual harassment and violence against women and girls. Regrettably, our current legal system doesn’t adequately safeguard those who don’t explicitly say ‘no’. It’s past due for clarity – a clear ‘Yes’ should always signify agreement.

‘That simple messaging would certainly help inspire more open and clearer communications.’

Emily Atack says her past drunken sexual encounters with men were rape because she can't remember them and she didn't say 'yes' - as she fronts affirmative consent campaign

Previously, the actress delved into the concerning increase of online sexual harassment for a BBC2 documentary titled Emily Atack: Speaking Out, following her own daily encounters with such abuse on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

This June, Emily gave birth to her first child, a son named Barney, alongside long-time acquaintance Alistair Garner, whom she’s been friends with for more than three decades since their childhood days.

Individuals aged 16 years and above residing in England and Wales who have experienced rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or any other type of sexual misconduct are welcome to reach out to the Rape Crisis organization.

Call 0808 500 2222 or visit their Support Line website to start an online chat.

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2024-11-06 11:34

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