The campaign was founded by Fiona Mackenzie in December 2018 in response to the trial decision in the murder of Natalie Connolly, the perpetrator was able to rely upon the "rough sex" defence and receive a lesser sentence of manslaughter.
[1] This led Mackenzie and other volunteers to begin campaigning against the defence relied upon in trials relating to "rough sex" across the world, particularly the United Kingdom.
[2] We Can't Consent to This made a written submission to UK Parliament providing evidence on the Domestic Abuse Bill and its amendments for the outlawing of the "rough sex" defence which they claim are "needed now".
[7] In 2020, Justice Minister Naomi Long of Northern Ireland opened a consultation following the campaign, which aims to create a new law that prohibits the "rough sex" defence to circumstances involving ABH and more serious violence.
[8] 68,000 people have since joined the campaign to end the "rough sex" defence, including the women's magazine Grazia,[9] and the internet forum Mumsnet.