AC1.2 Flashcards
Name 3 laws that change due to time
homosexuality
Drug laws
Laws concerning physical punishment
When was homosexuality made illegal
1885
What was the maximum sentence regarding homosexuality in 1885
Life
What year was homosexuality legalised to people 21+ in England and wales
1967
What years did Scotland and Ireland join in legalising homosexuality
1980 for Scotland
1982 for ireland
What year was homosexuality’s age of consent lowered to 18
1994
What year was homosexuality’s age of consent lowered to 16 - to match the heterosexual one
2000
What reasons did the homosexuality laws change
The wolfenden report
Campaigns
Politicians
Who was the wolfenden report set up under
Sir John wolfenden
What was the wolfenden report ?
There was an increase of prosecutions gay men after the Second World War, leaving over 1000 in prison by 1954
Following several trials of well known figures for homosexual acts, the government set up a committee to consider reforming the law
Give an example of a campaign
Campaign for homosexual equality led to eventually equalising the age of consent for homosexual men to 16
What did the Campaign for homosexual equality lead to
led to eventually equalising the age of consent for homosexual men to 16
How did politicians help
People such as Roy Jenkins supported the campaign for change and as home secretary he introduced the necessary legislation in 1967
What drug law changed over time
The Portuguese drug laws
In what year was possession of drugs changed from a crime to a civil offense
2001
What happened in 2001 in regard to the Portuguese drug laws
possession of drugs changed from a crime to a civil offense
What did this Portuguese drug law apply to
It applies to both “hard” drugs, such as heroin, and “soft” drugs, such as cannabis
During the years 1930 and 1975 what was happening in Portugal ?
During the years 1930 to 1975 Portugal was considered a “closed” and strictly regulated place, where Coca Cola was banned and you had to get a cigarette license
What happened in 1975
Portugal became a democracy and the increased openness for the country caused an influx of drugs which caused an outbreak of HIV from sharing heroin needles
Why did the law change
Due to the increase in drugs by 1990 every 1 in 100 people were addicted to heroin so to avoid this drugs were regarded as a public health issue aimed at harm reduction rather than an issue for the criminal justice system- current drug users are referred to health and other support services rather than being prosecuted
What has changed since the law change
Deaths from drugs had fallen to 4 out of a million which is the lowest in Europe, comparing to 44 out of a million in the uk
