Aegis Consent : When Silence becomes Coercion (19459000)
Recent research has revealed a disturbing and ominous picture of sexual assault on college campuses. Many of these assaults are perpetrated on the victim by someone they know, like a friend or date at a gathering. A significant number of cases are involving drugs and alcohol. These patterns persist despite decades of education. The article examines the reasons why awareness campaigns are insufficient to stop sexual violence.
It also explores how behavioral and structural gaps enable this behavior. Finally, it examines what can be achieved to improve accountability and reduce risks.
The Big Picture
Why There’s Sexual Violence in the World–and How Awareness isn’t Enough
In April 2026, the Sexual Assault Awareness Month will celebrate its 25th birthday. National Sexual Violence Resource Center, which provides SAAM educational material and coordinates SAAM each year, chose the theme: “25 Years stronger: Looking back, Moving forward” — a celebration of progress but an honest assessment of what needs to be changed. Consent education is moving forward.
The issue has reached a new level of awareness.
The issue of workplace harassment has been discussed more widely, survivors are now believed to a greater extent than ever before, and universities have adopted affirmative consent policy. Yet, prevalence rates are stubbornly high. This suggests that awareness of the issue hasn’t translated into meaningful systemic or behavioral change. The two most commonly cited factors, objectification, and consent are treated separately. They are interconnected in practice and they reinforce each other.
Problem #1
The Consent Gap – What we teach vs. how people actually communicate
The shift to affirmative consent–and what’s still missing
Surely you’ve heard about affirmative consent.
California was the very first state in 2014 to require that all universities adhere to a standard of “yes equals yes”. California has been followed by many other states and colleges since then. Positive consent is better described as an enthusiastic yes, and represents a step up from the old “no equals no” mentality. Existing research, however, has revealed limitations to legislation or policies regarding consent. It also questions the reality and practicality of this model in practice.
The CDC’s findings: According to the 2023 Youth risk Behavior Survey, the first study of its kind to measure the consent-seeking behaviors among high schoolers, most students support affirmative consent but prefer to express their consent through indirect and nonverbal cues, rather than verbal agreements (CDC, 2024) Researchers have described “no-response signals” as a way for female students to signal consent. This is when they passively allow sexual activity, without agreeing.
Ambiguity does not have a neutral side.
Ambiguity creates conditions that can lead to misunderstandings and in some instances, intentional exploitation. One team of researchers found that there is a substantial gap between the way college students communicate consent today – with subtle, implied, nonverbal signals – and what affirmative consent policy proposes (Orchowski, et. al., 2023). In this gap, the perpetrators are able to rely on plausible denial.
What Students Should Avoid When Having Explicit Consent Conversations
The conversation on consent is often not brought up when it comes to students in college. It’s not that students don’t want to learn more about consent, it is because they are afraid of talking about the topic.
It is a fallacy to believe that taking safety precautions will ruin the moment or be offensive.
The use of “code words” and assumed understanding.
* Cultural scripts which prevent women and men from expressing the true desires and needs.
• Lack of experience with sexually explicit communication.
Parental Advice: Your college student may lack the skills to communicate affirmatively if their sex education has been centered on “no means No” or abstinence.
Have a non-judgmental, direct conversation with your student about how to express clear consent.
Problem #2
Impaired: the most common context for campus sexual assault, but one that is least discussed
The Research Tells Us
In research literature, drug-and-alcohol-facilitated sexual abuse (DFSA), is an act of violence in which the victim is unable to consent due to alcohol or drugs. Victims may have consumed drugs and/or alcohol knowingly or unknowingly, as well as a mixture of both (Skov, et. al. 2025, Recalde, et. al. 2024).
Even when the situation feels gray, there is a clear line between what’s legal and ethical.
Consent and impairment are based on a simple principle: A person with a substantial impairment cannot consent. It is also true for ethical and legal standards.
People often believe that a person who has a disability but is not visible incapacitated, can consent. It is not true. Consent is not present once a person has become incapacitated.
The perpetrators often use ambiguity, such as prior contact with the victim, alcohol or their own appearance, to create doubts about what actually happened.
What is the difference between opportunistic DFSA and predatory DFSA? Researchers differentiate between opportunistic DFSA – where a perpetrator exploits someone who has voluntarily intoxicated themselves – and predatory DFSA – when a perpetrator intentionally administers drugs to a victims without their knowledge. They are both forms of sexual assault. In every state in the U.S., the second offense is also considered a crime. Recent forensic studies have shown that predatory DFSA often follows a recognizable model, and the perpetrator of multiple attacks is usually the same (Recalde Esnoz et.
al., 2020).
Why is Impaired Assault So Rarely Reported and Prosecuted?
Reporting is difficult for victims of assaults involving drugs or alcohol. They fear that they will not be believed and are worried about an investigation scrutinizing them just as closely as the perpetrator. Jurors tend to be less likely than others to convict victims who have voluntarily consumed alcohol (Ison, et. al., 2024). This creates structural barriers that reduce accountability for those who use impairment as a means to get away with crimes.
Campus administrators: Check if your reporting procedure is accessible to students that may have a vague memory, may not be certain of what occurred, or may fear not being taken seriously because they have consumed alcohol. The survivor-centered process doesn’t require that a full and linear report be given before a report is taken seriously.
Recent Case Studies
The Stephen Matthews case teaches us about platform responsibility
What happened?
Stephen Matthews, a physician from Denver, Colorado was found guilty in October 2024 of 35 counts for either sexual assault or drugging 11 women that he had met via dating apps and sites between 2019 and 2023. Matthews was sentenced to 158 years up until life imprisonment (The 19th News December 2025).
Six victims of this crime filed a civil suit in Denver District Court on December 20, 2025 against Match Group, Inc., parent company to dating apps Hinge and Tinder.
According to the lawsuit, Match Group was notified about Matthews’ behavior as early as in September 2020. However, they did not take any action.
The Platform Failed
This filing details a number of institutional failings at Match Group, which allowed Matthews’ operation to continue for many years after his first report:
The first report was ignored. He was reported to Hinge by a woman who he had assaulted the day after.
The woman was informed that steps were being taken. Hinge re-recommended him as a possible match three months later (CPR News December 2025).
* Making reporting impossible. The option to unmatch with someone in Hinge was completely removed, making it impossible to do so afterward (The 19th News December 2025).
* The bans are ineffective. Testing confirmed that banned users were able to rejoin Hinge as late as February 2025 with exactly the same profile picture, name, birthday and account photo (The 19th News December 2025) as their banned accounts.
This is important beyond dating apps. The Matthews’ case shows that serial perpetrators can continue to access victims when there are no actions taken by organizations in response to reports of sexual assault. Any institution must ask itself: would the existing system reduce harm if it were reported tomorrow?
What You Can Do
Steps to Take for Everyone
The College Student’s Guide
Before and after.
Every time, practice saying your consent aloud. This will make it easier for both parties and also protect them.
Watch out for one another. Stay with a friend who is intoxicated. People who are incapacitated cannot consent.
Be aware of what is available. Before you need to use them, know what resources are available: Title IX Coordinator, crisis line or nearest Sexual Assault Center.
Online dating can be dangerous. Inform someone of your plans. Check-in.
First, meet in the public.
* Bystander action saves lives. Ask if someone is okay if you notice that they seem confused, impaired or under pressure. Checking in is not necessary if you are certain that something’s wrong.
The Parents
Ask your student what they know about affirmative consent. This is not a quiz, but an opportunity to have a real discussion.
You can ask your students what they think about affirmative action. This is not a test, but an opportunity to have a real conversation with them.
Talking about safety and alcohol should be normalized.
Distinguish between a situation that is ambiguous and one where impairment occurs.
You should be someone they can call without fear of judgment or anger. Be sure that they feel comfortable calling you and not fearing anger or judgement. Students may not disclose because they fear their parents’ reaction.
Before they depart, talk about the resources available. The counseling center, Title IX Office, the local or campus sexual assault crisis number, and/or Title IX offices.
The Campus Administrator
* Check your reporting infrastructure. Your systems are accessible by students who may not be able to provide an accurate account, or fear being disbelieved due to alcohol consumption?
Don’t stop at the basics. Insufficient consent education ignores gendered scripts and impairment.
Update programming with the help of experts.
* Consider investing in training for bystanders. The best prevention methods are programs that help students recognize and stop dangerous situations.
Understanding the stakes of an institution is important. Mishandled reports can lead survivors to abandon the school, have lasting effects on their mental health, or not recommend it.
The HR Professional’s Guide
* Drinking alcohol at events held by the workplace is dangerous. The same risks are created by company events that include alcohol, according to research conducted on campus. Conduct expectations should be clearly defined and leaders must model them.
* Prepare for trauma informed intake.
The HR department should have the ability to accept a report even without needing a timeline complete or any physical evidence. Both trauma and impairment affect the memory.
Prevention begins with pattern recognition. Act on patterns. Serial criminals are able to take advantage of institutional resistance in identifying patterns.
Final Thoughts
How to Move Forward after 25 Years
Both the progress made and the gaps that persist after 25 years are worthy of recognition. The number of survivors believed is higher, the consent issue has become a national discussion, and there are new policies in place.
It is not enough to be aware of the next step. You must also practice it consistently.
Matthews’ case was not a one-off. It is an example of a trend that played out right in front of our eyes, with warning signs visible but no action taken by the system. To move forward, we need to close the gap through better communication about consent, a deeper understanding of impairment and institutions that are willing to take action before harm is escalated.
The harm that can occur when systems do not act isn’t just possible, it is also predictable.
Each action counts. Every voice counts.
NSVRC and SAAM 2026
Key Resources
Find out more or get help
National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (4673) | rainn.org
NSVRC / SAAM2026
nsvrc.org/saam-2026
The Campus Title IX Resource
You can find your Title IX Coordinator in the student affairs office or compliance department of your school.
Learn Your IX
Student rights under Title IX
SOURCES
Referrals
Basile, K.
C., Smith, S. G., Kresnow, M., Khatiwada, S., & Leemis, R. W. (2022). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey 2016/2017 Report on Sexual Violence.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
C.A. Goldberg Law. Goldberg Law.
Lawsuit against Match Group for drugging and sexual assault filed in CO. https://www.cagoldberglaw.com/lawsuit-against-match-group-for-drugging-and-sexual-assault-filed-in-co/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Youth Risk Behavior Survey: United States 2023. Asking for Verbal Sexual Consent and Experiences of Sexual Violence and Sexual Behaviors among High School Students. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 73 (Suppl-4).
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/su/su7304a7.htm
CPR News. 2025, 17 December).
Hinge and Tinder did not respond to complaints from Denver women about serial rapists, according to a lawsuit. Colorado Public Radio.
Dugdale, E. E., Harjani, H., Harrison, C., & Kaur, G. (2025, December 16). Tinder, Hinge and Tinder are being sued by women who were raped and drugged on dates in Colorado by a cardiologist. The 19th News.
https://19thnews.org/2025/12/dating-app-rape-survivors-lawsuit-hinge-tinder/
Ison, J., Wilson, I., Forsdike, K., Theobald, J., Wilson, E., Laslett, A.-M., & Hooker, L. (2024). Review of the global literature on sexual violence facilitated by alcohol or other drugs. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380241297349
Jane Doe, 1-6, v. IAC, Inc., Match Group, Inc., Hinge, Inc., Tinder, LLC, Stephen Matthews.
2025, 16 December. Denver District Court, Colorado.
Laha, A. (2025). The role of education on consent in the prevention and promotion of healthy relationships. Journal of Prevention. https://doi.org/10.1177/26318318251400035
Lynam, M., Keatley, D., Maker, G., & Coumbaros, J.
(2024). The prevalence of certain licit and illegal drugs in sexual assaults involving drug abuse. Forensic science international: Synergy 9, 10545.
National Sexual Violence Resource Center (2025). Statistics in depth https://www.nsvrc.org/statistics/statistics-depth/
National Sexual Violence Resource Center (2026). The 25th Anniversary of SAAM: Moving forward, looking back and moving on. https://www.nsvrc.org/about-saam-2026/
Orchowski, L. M., Bogen, K.
W., & Rizvi, S. (2023). Communication on sexual consent and rejection. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10195043/
Recalde-Esnoz, I., Prego-Meleiro, P., Montalvo, G., & Del Castillo, H. (2024). Drug-facilitated Sexual Assault: A Systematic Review.
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 25(3), 1814-1825.
Richer, L. A., et al. (2015).
Characterizing subtypes of drug-facilitated sexual violence and the treatment engagement of victim at a hospital based rape center. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 32(10): 1524-1542.
Skov, K., Johansen, S. S., Linnet, K., & Nielsen, M. K. K. (2025). The characteristics of drug-facilitated assaults (DFSA) : an observational study in a Danish center for sexual assault.
International Journal of Legal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-025-03646-4
Sexes.
(2024). Participation of youth voices in improving sexual consent campaigns. Sexes, 5(4), 579-595. https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes5040038
Help is available 24 hours a day for anyone who has experienced sexual abuse.
rainn.org
Aegis Consent
Aegis Consent
Aegis Consent, the first AI-powered solution for affirmative consent in the world, is a revolutionary technology. The solution uses voice recognition and video to confirm and establish understanding in real-time. By making consent explicit, documented, and actionable, the solution tackles a crisis in our country, where over 80% sexual assaults never get reported. Aegis works with university, fraternities and sororities as well as community groups via its Campus Ambassador Program.
It also collaborates with Protect Alliance for Safety and Security, a sister organization of the company, through education and advocacy programs.
