‘Is this rape?’ Controversial BBC show tests the boundaries of sexual assault

A BBC programme exploring British teenagers’ views on what counts as rape has provoked debate on a searingly sensitive topic.

Viewers were also brought into the debate and were able to vote from home as the show was aired on Monday night on public broadcast channel BBC3.

The mixed group of boys and girls were filmed over two days as they watched a drama created for the show about two characters: 17-year-old Gemma and 18-year-old Tom.

After a house party, Gemma is dozing on a sofa and Tom puts his penis into her mouth. Two weeks later, Gemma reports the incident to the police.

When initially asked whether what had occurred in the drama was rape, many of the teenagers said they were not sure, describing it as a “misunderstanding” or “semi-rape”.

Some opened up about their own experiences, saying that such events were normal.