Sexual offences Flashcards
What are the elements for sexual violation by rape (S128(1)(a) Crimes Act 1961)?
- A person
- Rapes
- Another person
What is the definition of sexual violation?
Sexual violation is the act of a person who
- Rapes another person or
- Has unlawful sexual connection with another person
What is the definition of rape?
Person A rapes person B if person A has sexual connection with person B, effected by the penetration of person B’s genitalia by person A’s penis
- Without person B’s consent to the connection, and
- Without believing on reasonable grounds that person B consents to the connection
What is penetration?
Introduction to the slightest degree is enough to effect a connection.
Proof of penetration may be established by the complainants’ evidence, medical examination or admissions made by the defendant
What is the definition of sexual connection (S2 (1A) Crimes Act 1961)
Connection effected by the introduction into the genitalia or anus of one person, otherwise than for genuine medical purpose, of -
- A part of the body of another person; or
- An object held or manipulated by another person; or
Connection between the mouth or tongue of one person and a part of another person’s genitalia or anus; or
The continuation of connection of a kind described above
What does R v Koroheke state regarding 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
How is consent defined? What must the Crown prove in relation to consent?
“Consent” is a person’s conscious and voluntary agreement to something desired or proposed by another.
The Crown must prove that
- The complainant did not consent to the sexual act (subjective) and
- The offender did not believe the complainant was consenting (subjective) or
- If he did believe she was consenting, the grounds for such a belief were not reasonable (objective)
What is discussed in R v Cox?
Consent. The case law states that consent must be “full, voluntary, free and informed … freely and voluntarily given by a person in a position to form a rational judgement”
What is discussed in R v Gutuama?
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”
What are the elements for sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection?
- A person
- Has unlawful sexual connection
- With another person
What is ‘unlawful sexual connection’?
Person A has unlawful sexual connection with person B is person A has sexual connection with Person B -
- Without person B’s consent to the connection, and
- Without believing on reasonable grounds that person B consents to the connection
What are the elements of assault with intent to commit sexual violation?
- A person
- Assaults
- Another person
- With intent to commit sexual violation of the other person
What are the elements for sexual conduct with a child under 12 (S132(1) Crimes Act 1961)?
- A person
- Has sexual connection with OR
- Attempts to have sexual connection with OR
- Does an indecent act on
- A child
Is there a defence to S132(1) Crimes Act 1961?
No. It is not a defence to a charge under this section that the person charged believed that the child was of or over the age of 12 years
It is not a defence to a charge under this section that the child consented
What does R v Forrest and Forrest state?
“The best evidence possible in the circumstances should be adduced by the prosecution in proof of [the victim’s] age”