Sex Offences Flashcards
Unlawful sexual connection (the definition not the liability)
non-consensual
penetration or oral connection with genitalia or anus
Max penalty for rape/ULSC
20 years
In all cases of sexual violation the crown must prove beyond reasonable doubt
there was an intentional act by the offender involving sexual connection with the complainant AND
The complainant did not consent AND
The offender did not believe the complainant was consenting OR
If the offender did believe the complainant was consenting, the grounds for such a belief were not reasonable
Define sexual violation
A person who:
- rapes
- has unlawful sexual connection
Proof of penetration may be established by (3)
- complainants evidence
- medical examination, including physical injuries and DNA evidence
- the defendants admissions
R v Koroheke
Definition of genitalia
The genitalia comprise the reproductive organs, interior and exterior… they include the vulva and the labia, both interior and exterior, at the opening of the vagina
Penis includes
surgically constructed organ
True or false:
Anybody with a penis can rape
True. If they have a surgically constructed penis biological gender doesn’t matter
Yes or No
Anus is included within definition of genitalia
No
Reproductive organs only
“Continuation” of act
Where sexual activity is started con sensually but consent is later withdrawn
R v Cox
Definition of consent
Consent must be “full, voluntary, free and informed… freely and voluntarily given by a person in a position to form a rational judgement
R v Gutuama
objective test for consent
Under the objective test the Crown must prove that “no reasonable person in the accused’s shoes could have thought that the complainant was consenting”
When is consent relevant?
At the time the act actually took place
Allowing sexual activity does not amount to consent in some circumstances.
What section covers this and what are 5 examples?
128A CA 1961
- If she does not protest/ offer physical resistance
- She allows the activity because force was applied
- she was asleep
- she is so affected by alcohol/drugs she cannot consent or refuse
- she is mistaken of the identity
R v Koroheke
Consent
Distinguish between consent that is freely given and submission by a woman to what she may regard as unwanted but unavoidable.
E.g. submission by a woman because she is frightened of what might happen if she does not give in or cooperate is not true consent
Mental impairment:
If the threshold for sexual violation has not been met, but the defendant has taken advantage of the complainant’s vulnerability, what charge should be considered?
s138: sexual exploitation of a person with significant impairment.
section, act and ingredients:
rape
Section 128, 1)a), CA 1961
Any person who
rapes
another person
section, act and ingredients
unlawful sexual connection
Section 128, 1)b) ca 1961
Any person who
has unlawful sexual connection with
another person
Person
Proved by judicial notice or circumstantial evidence
Is age relevant under 128?
no
Define rape
sexual connection by penetration of genitalia by penis
without consent AND without reasonable grounds for consent
Can the offender be penetrated by the victims penis in 128(1)(a)?
No
Can the offender be penetrated by the victims penis in 128(1)(b)?
Yes
What distinguishes between attempted sexual violation and assault with intent to commit sexual violation?
- An attempt to commit sexual violation does not necessarily involve an assault
- An assault with intent to commit sexual violation may not be close enough to charge with an attempt (of sexual violation)
section, act and ingredients
Attempted sexual violation
Section 129 (1) CA 1961
Every one who
attempts to commit
sexual violation
section, act and ingredients
Assault with intent to commit sexual violation
Section 129(2) CA 1961 Everyone who assaults another person with intent to commit sexual violation of the other person
To be guilty of an attempt to commit an offence a person must:
(2 things)
- Intent to commit the offence and
- Take a real and substantial step towards achieving that aim
What must the crown prove with an intent to commit sexual violation?
That the Defendant intended to commit the full act of sexual violation
Acted as he did for the purpose of achieving that aim
Define intent
Intent to commit the act and an intent to get a specific result
Define deliberate act
more than involuntary or accidental
Define ‘intent to produce a result’
An intent to produce a specific result: an “aim, object or purpose”
Circumstantial evidence from which an offender’s intent can be inferred
(3 things)
- offenders words and actions before, during and after the event
- the surrounding circumstances
- the nature of the act itself
With attempted sexual violation the Crown must prove at the time of the Defendant’s conduct he:
(3 things)
Intended to have sexual connection AND
The complainant did not consent to the intended sexual connection AND
The defendant did not believe on reasonable grounds that the complainant was consenting
R v Harpur
Attempt
An attempt includes a substantial step.
conduct may be viewed cumulatively.
Considering how much remains to be done…is always relevant, although not determinative
Assault with intent to commit sexual violation. There are two types of intent to this assault, what are they?
- In the hope that the complainant will then change their mind and consent to the act
- intent to commit sexual violation whether the complainant changed their mind or not
Situations where you might file a charge of assault with intent to commit sexual violation
-where an offender assaults with intent to gain consent
section, act, ingredients
Sexual connection with child under 12
Section 132 (1) CA 1961
Everyone
who has sexual connection
with a child
section, act, ingredients
attempted sexual connection with child
Section 132(2) CA 1961
Everyone
who attempts
sexual connection
with a child