This paper uses a system of moral principles derived from Alan Gewirth's Principle of Generic Consistency to demonstrate both the moral necessity of adopting a libertarian approach to consent in sexual offences, and that such an approach is practically superior with regard to the policy objectives which English law seeks to pursue in this field. The paper achieves this through inquiring into the state of contemporary English law and then analysing its political and philosophical underpinnings on a diverse range of issues, from uncomplicated consent through to coercion, informed consent, and the age of consent.
[---]