Sex Module Flashcards
Consent
Can a child aged under 12 consent to sexual connection?
Court of Appeal ruling
The Court of Appeal held that it would only be in “exceptional and rare circumstances” that a child could legally give consent.
Incest
Is it an offence for an adoptive parent to have sexual connection with his 18 year old adopted daughter?
Yes, adoptive parents are defined as parents under S130 of Crimes Act.
Evidence Act 2006
S44 (1), (2) and (3)
1) No evidence can be given and no question can be put to a witness relating directly or indirectly to the complainants sexual experience with any other person, other than the defendant, except with permission of the judge
2) No evidence can be given and no question can be put to a witness relating directly or indirectly to the reputation of the complainant in sexual matters
3) Judge must not grant permission re 1) unless satisfied that the evidence or question is of sufficient direct relevance to the facts at issue, or the issue of appropriate sentence, that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to exclude it
Evidence of sexual experience of complainants in sexual cases
Three things the crown must prove in relation to indecent assault
- The defendant intentionally assaulted the complainant
- The circumstances accompanying the assault were indecent
- That the defendant intended conduct that a reasonable person would find indecent
What are the three time periods relating to ASA complaints?
- Acute (within 7 days)
- Non-acute (7 days to 6 months)
- Historic
Defence to S134
- Before the time of the act, the defendant took reasonable steps to find out if the young person was 16 or over, AND
- At the time of the act, the defendant believed on reasonable grounds the young person was 16 or over, AND
- The young person consented
Act and Section
Sexual Grooming
S131B Crimes Act 1961
When is the offence of sexual grooming completed?
When having met or communicated with a person under the age of 16 years on an earlier occasion, he or she takes one of the following actions;
i) intentionally meets the young person
ii) travels with the intention of meeting the young person
iii) arranges for or pursuades the young person to travel with the intention of meeting him/her
Meeting must be “purposely arranged”
Evidence Act 2006
S87
Privacy as to witness’s precise address
Evidence Act 2006
Explain S87 (1)
1) In any proceeding, the precise particulars of a witness’s address may not - without the permission of the judge be;
a) the subject of any question to a witness or included in any evidence given, or
b) included in any statement or remark made by a witness, lawyer, court officer or any other person.
Evidence Act 2006
Explain S87 (2)
2) The judge must not grant permission under 1) unless satisfied that the question to be put, the evidence to be given, or the statement or remark to be made, is of sufficient direct relevance to the facts in issue that to exclude it would be contrary to the interests of justice.
Evidence Act 2006
S88
Restriction on disclosure of complainant’s occupation in sexual cases
Evidence Act 2006
Explain S88(1)
In a sexual case, except with permission of the judge:
a) No question may be put to the complainant or any other witness and no evidence may be given concerning the complainants occupation; AND
b) No statement, or remark may be made in court by a witness, lawyer, officer of the court, or any other person concerning the complainants occupation.
Crimes Act 1961
S138
Sexual exploitation of person with significant impairment
Crimes Act 1961
When is the act s138 complete?
A person:
3(a) - has sexual connection with the impaired person knowing that the impaired person is a person with a significant impairment AND,
b) has obtained the impaired persons acquiescene in, submission to, participation in, or undertaking of the connecting by taking advantage of the impairment.
Crimes Act 1961
S138 (1) (2) (4) differences and penalties
138(1) - has exploitative sexual connection with a person with significant impairment (10 years)
138(2) - attempts to have exploitative sexual connection with a person with significant impairment (10 years)
138(4) - who exploitatively does an indecent act on a person with a significant impairment (5 years)
Definition 138(6)
Person with significant impairment
A significant impairment is an intellectual, mental or physical condition or impairment (or a combination of 2 or more) that affects a person to such an extent that it significantly impairs the persons capacity -
a) to understand the nature of the sexual conduct OR
b) to understand the nature of decisions about sexual conduct OR
c) to forsee the consequences of decisions about sexual conduct OR
d) to communicate decisions about sexual conduct
Ingredients of
S130 CA 1961
1) Sexual connection is incest if:
a) it is between 2 people whose relationship is that of parent and child, sibling/half sibling, grandparent/grandchild AND
b) the person charged knows of the relationship
2) Everyone 16 and over is liable - 10 years
S35 Evidence Act 2006
When can a previous consistent statement be admitted?
As rebuttal evidence
What is the primary objective of a medical examination?
To ensure the victims physical, mental, sexual health and safety.
Secondary objective is the opportunity to obtain trace evidence.
What you should explain to a victim prior to a medical exam
- That the examination will be completed by a medical forensic practitioner specially trained in examining victims of sexual assault
- The benefits of a full medical forensic exam including to their physical, sexual and mental health
- How the exam can help Police obtain evidence to apprehend the offender
- The expected time frame for the examination and, if appropriate, possible outcomes of the examination
CALM TEA acronym
C - conduct dealings in a sensitive and concerned manner
A - accept they are telling the truth until there is evidence to the contrary
L - listen to what they have to say, allow them to give their account, even if it is just vent feelings
M - Medical exam, establish if required
T - treat them courteously
E - explain the processes you are following and why, explain why you need to ask certain questions
A - advise them of local counselling services
Crimes Act 1961
128B
Punishment for sexual violation is a term of imp not exceeding 20 years, and imp. should be imposed upon conviction unless there are special circumstances that justify a departure from that rule.
Crimes Act 1961
S129(1)
Attempted sexual violation
(10 years)
Crimes Act 1961
S144A
Sexual conduct with children outside of NZ
Crimes Act 1961
S144A and S144B explain
144A - If you committ S132(1-3) or S134(1-3) outside of NZ, you are liable to be arrested and charged upon return to NZ.
However 144B specifies Attorney General must given approval prior to any charges filed.
Evidence Act 2006
Explain S88(2)
The judge must not grant permission unless satisfied that the question to be put, evidence to be given, or statement or remark to be made is of *sufficient direct relevance *to the facts in issue and its exclusion would be contrary to the interest in justice.
What three things must the Crown prove for sexual violation
The Crown must prove that at the time of the defendants conduct he:
1. Intended to have sexual connection with the complainant AND
2. The complainant did not consent to the intended sexual connection AND
3. The defendant did not believe on reasonable grounds that complainant was consenting.
Regarding consent what must the crown prove?
Subjective/objective test
1. The complainant did not consent to the sexual act (subjective) AND
2. The offender did not believe the complainant was consenting (subjective) OR
3. If the offender believed she was consenting, the grounds for such a belief were not reasonable (objective)
In negating consent, the Crown has to prove one of three things
- The victim did not consent OR
- The victims consent was not valid OR
- The accused did not believe on reasonable grounds that the victim was consenting
ASA guidelines
What is the purpose of a preliminary interview?
To gain a better understanding of what has happened and to determine:
- What further investigative actions are necessary; AND
- Whether an offence may have occurred; AND
- Whether the victim wants to make a formal complaint.
R v Leeson
The defintion of indecent assault…is an assault accompanied by circumstances of indecency
Difference between rape 128(1)(a) and ULSC 128(1)(b)
Rape is a specific form of unlawful sexual connection that involves the penetration of the complainants genitalia by the offenders penis.
ULSC has a wider meaning, and captures all forms of non-consensual sexual connection other than those that amount to rape.
R v Forrest and Forrest
The best evidence possible in the circumstances should be adduced by the prosecution in proof of the victims age.
What two pieces of evidence are required to prove age?
- The complainants birth certificate
- Independent evidence that identifies the complainant as the person name in the birth certificate
Consent of child
Case law
Cox v R: save in exceptional and rare circumstances…even where she indicates an agreement to the act occurring…no reasonable adult would have grounds for believing that a 10 or 11 year old girl has the experience or maturity to understand the nature and significance of the act.