Should Lovers Sign a Pre-Sex Contract?

L O S   A N G E L E S, Jan. 7 -- The practice of having prospective sex partners sign consent forms before things heat up may be a sign of the times.

Ava Cadell, a Los Angeles-area sex therapist, and her attorney husband came up with the idea of a "sexual consent form."

In the wake of the Kobe Bryant rape case, some professional athletes have said they plan to ask their sexual partners to sign consent forms, according to Sports Illustrated. The Los Angeles Lakers guard is accused of raping a 19-year-old Colorado woman; he says the sex was consensual.

Cadell says her forms are designed not only for someone who might face financial risks if accused of a sexual crime, but for anyone — celebrities, athletes or average Joes — alike. The point is, anyone can be accused of sexual misconduct, Cadell said.

"I designed this when a client came to me and said he had a bad experience with a date even though they had consensual sex," Cadell said on ABCNEWS' Good Morning America.

Sobriety Claim Part of Form

She says four of her clients have used the form successfully in refuting sexual misconduct allegations, and that the owner of one professional basketball team has asked her for the forms, which are available on her Web site.

The form includes a declaration that the parties are sober and will not withdraw consent: "I further declare that I am at this time not under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication and agree to engage in consensual sex with _______ and to not change my mind before the sex act is over."

There is a spot for both parties' signatures and a date at the bottom. There are two versions of the form — a long version and a short version, that can be easily stashed in one's wallet. In the long version of the form, would-be lovers can initial boxes to confirm that they agree to various sex acts, from fondling to sexual intercourse.

While some people might find the act of handing over a consent form to a prospective lover awkward, Cadell says the action could possibly spice things up a bit.