Week 5 - Sexual Offences Flashcards
Sexual offences act 2003
S1
S2
S3
S4
S1 - rape
S2 - assault by penetration
S3 - sexual assault by touching
S4 - causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent
Sexual offences act 2003
S74
S75
S76
S74 - consent (a person consents if he agrees by choice, and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice)
s75 - evidential presumptions about consent
S76 - conclusive presumptions about consent
Rape ….
Intentionally penetrates what?
Vagina, anus or mouth of another person
Vagina includes vulva
Rape of child under 13
What section?
Have to prove what?
S5 sexual offences act 2003
Have to prove:
- Age of victim
- Intentional penetration
What is meant by consent?
S74 - consent
A person consents if he agrees by choice, and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice
S75 sexual offences act
Evidential presumptions about consent
If for an offence to which this section applies it is proved:
a) that the defendant did the relevant act
b) that any of the circs specified in s75 subsection 2 existed and
c) the defendant knew those circs existed
Then the complainant is taken not to have consented
Subsection 2:-
A) any person was at the time of the relevant act (or immediately before it began) using violence against the complainant
B) any person was at the time or immediately before, causing the complainant to fear that violence was being used, or immediate violence would be used against another person
C) the complainant was (and the defendant was not) unlawfully detained at the time of the relevant act
D) the complainant was asleep or otherwise unconscious at the time of the relevant act
E) because of the complainants physical disability they would not have been able at the time of the relevant act to communicate whether they consented
F) any person has administered to, or caused to be taken by, the complainant, without the complainants consent, a substance which (having regard to when it was administered or taken) was capable of causing or enabling the complainant to be stupified or overpowered at the time of the relevant act
(This list is not an exhaustive list of deciding when consent is absent, there may be other circumstances where consent does not exist..
Ie PC Stephen mitchell was guilty of rape as he gained consent by threatening to take the victims children away)… ie. Consent gained by submission of the victim.
Just because thie circs.of consent in this case wasnt specified by s75 does not mean the victim consented! It just means a presumption cannot be made)
S76 sexual offences act 2003
Conclusive presumption about consent
If it is proved that the defendant did the relevant act and that any of the circs in subsection2 (below) exist it is to be conclusively presumed
A) that the complainant did not consent and
B) that the defendant did not beleive the complainant consented….
Sub (2); the circs are that:-
A) the defendant intentionally deceived the complainant as to the nature or purpose of the act
B) the defendant intentionally induced the complainant to consent by impersonating a person known personally by the complainant
Eg:
A) pretending that inserting a finger into a victims vagina is for medical reasons
B) impersonates the victims partner
S2 sexual offences act
Assault by penetration
A person (A) commits an offence if A) intentionally penetrates the vagina or anus of another person (B) with a part of his body or anything else B) the penetration is sexual C) B does not consent to the penetration and D) A does not reasonably believe that B consents
Broad offence covering insertion into vagina or anus (NOT the mouth) of anything (i.e dildo or animal) …
Providing the penetration is sexual.
S75 and s76 apply (evidential and conclusive consent)
If child is under 13, just have to prove age and intentional sexual penetration. No issue of consent when under 13. And a Special offence of s6 is committed
Sexual assault of child under 13
Section?
Prove what?
S6. Sexual offences act 2003
Age of child and intentional penetration
No issue of consent as a child
Definition of term ‘sexual’
S78 defines sexual and provides that penetration, touching or any other activity will be sexual if a reasonable person would consider that:
A) it is sexual by its very nature (whatever its circs or a persons purpose)
B) because of its nature it may be sexual, and because of its circumstances or the purpose of any person in relation to it, it is sexual.
Therefore A) covers anything a reasonable person would always consider sexual (i.e masturbating) and B) covers things that may not be considered sexual depending on the circs or intentions of person carrying it out (i.e a doctor inserting his fingers into a patients vagina)
If the activity would noy appear to a reasonable person to be sexual, then it will not meet either of the above criteria and irrespective of the sexual gratification any perspn may derive from the activity it will not be sexual . (Therefore weird fetishes that noone would consider as being sexual are not covered)
S3 sexual offences act
Sexual assault by touching
A person (a) commits an offence if A) he intentionally touches another person (b) B) the touching is sexual C) B does not consent to the touching and D) A does not reasonably believe thay B consents
S9 sexual offences act 2003
Sexual activity with a child
Can this offence be committed by a person under 18?
No
The defendant must be over 18
S 11 sexual offences act
Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
If a person engages in a sexual activity and intends a child to watch, or believes they are watching, do they commit the offence?
Not if the child isnt present or in a place from which they can observe.
That the defendant intends for them to watch or believes they are watching is immaterial if they are not present or in a place they can observe .
It is also not necessary to show in every case that the child was aware of the activity
S 11 sexual offences act
Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
How old must the defendant be to commit this offence?
How old must the victim be?
Defendant 18 or over
Victim under 16
S 11 sexual offences act
Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
What 2 things must be shown to commit the offence
That the activity was sexual
That the activity was carried out in order to obtain sexual gratification (gained by knowing the child is watching)
S 12 sexual offences act
Causing a child to watch a sexual act
Does a.person have to intend a child to be caused to watch for this offence to be committed?
Yes. It must be committed intentionally .