A new BBC documentary which features an audience vote as to whether a woman was raped or not has sparked anger, as it is claimed it could upset viewers.

But the BBC insists the documentary, called ‘Is This Rape? Sex On Trial’, is not merely a gimmick and is designed to raise important questions about consent.

The show, to be aired next Monday at 9pm, aims to discover ‘what British teenagers understand about rape’.

Outrage: A new BBC programme, presented by Will Best (pictured), has faced criticism for asking the audience is asked to decide whether or not a woman was raped in a fictional scenario

During the programme, presented by Will Best, viewers will be shown a fictional rape scenario of a sexual encounter between a teenage girl and a teenage boy.

After watching the clip, a vote will be cast as to whether or not the woman gave her consent.

But while some have praised the programme for ‘shining a light’ on confusion over what constitutes consent, others have warned that the documentary could cause distress for rape survivors.

Katie Russell, spokesperson from Rape Crisis, criticised the public vote element.

‘If this is not responsibly handled, particularly with the public vote element, it has the potential to upset rape survivors and make them less likely to seek support,' she told the Sunday Express.

As well as the public vote, a panel of 24 teenage boys and girls will be asked to discuss what the footage showed, and make a decision as to whether or not the woman gave her consent.

One teenage girl said: ‘If she didn’t show she was up for it [but] at the same time she didn’t do anything to stop it I think that it could be taken as consent.’

A teenage boy added: ‘She did make some signs that could be interpreted as consent.’

When asked if rape was too strong a term to use to describe the footage, one young man answered: ‘Yeah, I do, it’s quite… it’s quite harsh. But it’s close to rape.’

One teenage girl revealed in the program that she had been raped, and called it ‘one of the most painful things someone can go through’.

She said: ‘The years and years of emotional turmoil… you don’t trust yourself and you don’t trust people around you.

‘You flinch every time someone comes near you. It’s all of those different things. You need to listen and understand that it’s not fair what a rapist will do to anybody.’

'Real issue': Numerous women's rights groups have warned that people do not fully understand what constitutes rape and what doesn't in the eyes of the law. Pictured, new BBC Broadcasting house in London

It is hoped that the programme will help resolve the confusion, highlighted by numerous women’s rights groups, over what constitutes consent.

After a decision has been made, by audience and teenage panel, a barrister will explain the legal position on the scenario.