Pushing Boundaries: Consent Violations and Sexual Misconduct in Ethically Non-Monogamous Group Settings

• In Event: Explaining the Drivers of Sexual Violence

Abstract

There is a lack of recent scholarship that focuses exclusively on sexual misconduct within sexually diverse populations, specifically those who identify as ethically non-monogamous (ENM). Are there aspects of the ENM/swinging/swapping scenario that allow people to justify acts they would not commit in a traditional monogamous/solo interaction? This study aims to understand boundary pushing, consent violations or sexual misconduct in ENM group play. Participants completed a survey discussing their experiences. Findings suggest that traditional rape myths are in play, as well as other techniques of neutralization specific to group sexual encounters.

Author

• Steve Taylor, Saint Xavier University