KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Advocates for people who engage in rough but consensual sex say they fear a Missouri abuse case could criminalize their lifestyle.
Ed Bagley faces federal trial next year on charges of abuse against a woman authorities say he groomed to be his sex slave. Prosecutors say they'll present consensual though violent acts between Bagley and his own wife as evidence that Bagley has sexually assaulted women.
Prosecutors say Bagley's wife's consent doesn't change whether their acts legally constitute assault. They say in court documents that "consent is not a defense to assault resulting in serious physical injury."
Susan Wright is founder of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom and worries the government's assertion could open up people who practice bondage, dominance, sadism and masochism to criminal charges for consensual acts.
