R v Brown (case)

R v Brown (1993) is a UK legal case where a group of consenting adults engaged in consensual sadomasochistic acts that caused them physical harm. The central issue was whether consent could be a defense for causing injury in such activities. The House of Lords ruled that, in this context, consent was not a valid defense because public policy aims to discourage violence and injury, even if all parties agree. Essentially, the case clarified that certain acts, even if consensual, can be prosecuted if they involve serious harm, emphasizing society's interest in protecting individuals from injury.