Corinne Vien

Jake had conflicting feelings about what had happened to him. This was his wife. She loved him. She cared for him better than anyone could. They'd endured two pregnancy losses together, and they had hoped to create a family together still. Sex was a part of marriage, right? He couldn't consent, but did that matter if they were married?

Jake had conflicting feelings about what had happened to him. This was his wife. She loved him. She cared for him better than anyone could. They'd endured two pregnancy losses together, and they had hoped to create a family together still. Sex was a part of marriage, right? He couldn't consent, but did that matter if they were married?

Consent is no longer a quiet conversation. Movements like Me Too, Time's Up, and Take Back the Night have forced society to re-examine what consent truly means and how to create safer spaces for everyone. But while we've made progress, the reality is unsettling. Marital rape wasn't outlawed in all 50 U.S. states until 1993.

Consent is no longer a quiet conversation. Movements like Me Too, Time's Up, and Take Back the Night have forced society to re-examine what consent truly means and how to create safer spaces for everyone. But while we've made progress, the reality is unsettling. Marital rape wasn't outlawed in all 50 U.S. states until 1993.

Before then, the law operated under the assumption that a husband could not rape his wife, a chilling reminder of just how deeply flawed our understanding of consent has been. And historically, discussions around rape have centered on male perpetrators and female victims reinforcing a limited and often harmful narrative. But the reality is broader.

Before then, the law operated under the assumption that a husband could not rape his wife, a chilling reminder of just how deeply flawed our understanding of consent has been. And historically, discussions around rape have centered on male perpetrators and female victims reinforcing a limited and often harmful narrative. But the reality is broader.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in five women in the U.S. experience attempted or completed rape in their lifetime, over half by an intimate partner. Yet what many don't realize is that one in four men also experience some form of contact sexual violence.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in five women in the U.S. experience attempted or completed rape in their lifetime, over half by an intimate partner. Yet what many don't realize is that one in four men also experience some form of contact sexual violence.

Men make up an estimated 10 to 15 percent of adult sexual assault victims, though experts believe the number is much higher due to chronic underreporting. And these are just the statistics for those who identify as male or female. Numbers are grossly higher for those who don't identify as cisgender. The stigma surrounding male rape is finally beginning to crack.

Men make up an estimated 10 to 15 percent of adult sexual assault victims, though experts believe the number is much higher due to chronic underreporting. And these are just the statistics for those who identify as male or female. Numbers are grossly higher for those who don't identify as cisgender. The stigma surrounding male rape is finally beginning to crack.

More men are stepping forward, and pop culture is beginning to reflect this reality. Take Baby Reindeer, a recent example that sheds light on male victimhood in ways rarely explored. As our conversations around consent evolve, so too must our understanding of who needs protection, who needs to be believed, and how we can reshape the narratives that we've long accepted as truths.

More men are stepping forward, and pop culture is beginning to reflect this reality. Take Baby Reindeer, a recent example that sheds light on male victimhood in ways rarely explored. As our conversations around consent evolve, so too must our understanding of who needs protection, who needs to be believed, and how we can reshape the narratives that we've long accepted as truths.

I need that shit. The truest thing about Jake is that he can go through some of the worst things humanly possible and still crack a joke about it. Okay, so we're all asking the same question, right? How was this able to continue to happen? It's one thing for this to happen on one singular occasion in the hospital with shocked hospital staff bumbling around trying to figure out what to do.

I need that shit. The truest thing about Jake is that he can go through some of the worst things humanly possible and still crack a joke about it. Okay, so we're all asking the same question, right? How was this able to continue to happen? It's one thing for this to happen on one singular occasion in the hospital with shocked hospital staff bumbling around trying to figure out what to do.

But multiple times?

But multiple times?

I just don't understand how the decision-making takes so long that something like this could potentially continue for multiple days, potentially weeks. And whether they deem it ethical or not, wouldn't you ensure his safety before a decision is made?

I just don't understand how the decision-making takes so long that something like this could potentially continue for multiple days, potentially weeks. And whether they deem it ethical or not, wouldn't you ensure his safety before a decision is made?

I had high hopes of securing an interview regarding MGH's specific response to the situation. What were the protocols? Did Jake's case change anything? Had they encountered a situation like this before? And if it happens again, are they prepared? And I don't have an update on this for you yet, but there's still time and my hopes are still high.

I had high hopes of securing an interview regarding MGH's specific response to the situation. What were the protocols? Did Jake's case change anything? Had they encountered a situation like this before? And if it happens again, are they prepared? And I don't have an update on this for you yet, but there's still time and my hopes are still high.