It's critical that we create safe spaces for survivors, and the existence of these tags only serves to normalize sexual violence. The inclusion of the term 'non-con' is a smokescreen which seeks to add a shade of grey where none should exist. There is either consenting sex between two adults, or there is rape. The inclusion of the term 'non-con' is extremely damaging and the existence of these tags contributes to rape culture and a society that dismisses sexual violence, and is perhaps, even titilated by it.

Whether AO3 would like to acknowledge it or not, there are young people everywhere reading, writing, and sharing fanfiction. I would like to see an AO3 that creates a safe space for survivors of sexual violence and abuse and takes an active stance on weeding out rape fantasies obfuscated by the term 'non-con.' I would like to challenge AO3 to stop implicitly condoning pedophilia and rape by including these tags, to stop allowing these things to be shared on their site. These tags lend themselves to the fetishization of sexual violence. I know that AO3 can do better. It's time for us, as the consumers and producers of fanfiction, to do and demand better.