I really need to talk about the rape scene in Blade Runner

My Physics in Science Fiction class recently watched Blade Runner and we're talking about the ethics of creating replicants and whether they are mistreated in the movie (yes) and so I really need to talk about the rape scene.

ya know, the part where Deckard leans in to kiss Rachael, she tries to leave, he stops her from leaving. and then *implied sex rape* happens. When Rachael is trying to leave it is clear she does not feel comfortable with the way things are going, and in not letting her leave Deckard is taking away her ability to refuse. The "kiss me. I want you." seems to be an attempt by the writers to make it romantic, but in the context of him keeping her from leaving it comes off as coercion.

"But Rachael is a replicant, not human so it's not rape!" 

No. Stop. First of all, the movie makes it clear that there is not much between humans and replicants that the humans did not intentionally put there. Replicants are living biological creations based primarily on human DNA, and given the same if not superior reasoning and sensory capabilities as humans. They are acknowledged to develop emotions of their own, and their ability to stage revolts indicates a sense of autonomy that robots or drones would not have. We are also introduced to the history of replicants with discussion of their use as "slave labor." The difference between slaves and tools is that slaves are feeling humans denied rights. The introduction text argues for the humanity of replicants.

However, let's pretend for a moment that replicants are not living things but machinery. In that case, replicants cannot consent, because machines cannot give or take consent. Also, if we choose to look at it from the viewpoint that Rachael is property of Tyrell Corporation (I shudder), Deckard is mistreating property (ugh, I hate this sentence). Even if replicants do not have rights, this is an uncomfortable scene.

"But Deckard may or may not be a replicant himself!"

Well then, if we're sticking to this hypothetical viewpoint that replicants are property and not responsible for their behavior, then the blame for the crime is just redirected to whoever owns Deckard. Still rape. And of course, if we return to my belief that replicants have human capabilities and therefore human responsibilities, it was still definitely rape.

it's worrisome because the people working on this movie thought this scene was compatible with a romance subplot. Maybe replicants can get over it, maybe they can regain trust and start a romantic relationship with someone who has violated them, although the behavior of other replicants in the movie do not seem to indicate this.