#MeToo: New Zealand cricket team gets consent guideline

The New Zealand Cricket Players Association has issued an updated handbook of players guidelines with a detailed list of instructions on what counts as informed consent, in the wake of the #MeToo campaign that has struck many parts of the world.

According to a report by the New Zealand Herald, the handbook programme has been running for seven years, dealing with several potential issues, including doping, life after cricket and sexual consent.

According to the report, NZCPA head Heath Mills said that the aspects outlined in the programme had not been included in the handbook and decision to include them now was simply based on making the material more accessible to players around the country.

The guidelines state that making good decisions is important in all aspects of life, especially in sexual relationships.

The guidelines describe sexual consent as an absolutely crucial aspect of sexual relations, adding that getting informed consent is required by law "each time" and it must be freely given.

It also goes into detail about what boundaries are not supposed to be crossed, including not pressuring the partner into giving consent, respecting their decisions and also has a warning that only people over the age of 16 may legally give consent.

#MeToo has been a talking point around the world, with the likes of Brett Kavanaugh in the US being accused of sexual harassment. In the sporting world, Cristiano Ronaldo recently came under fire after rape allegations.

At home, #MeToo first took Bollywood by storm with Tanushree Dutta accusing Nana Patekar of harassing her in 2008. Since then, the list of accused has expanded to include other actors, directors, union ministers and editors.