Carol Withey explains the offence of rape and sexual assault, with reference to some main cases on consent and sexual touching, which will provide illustrations of the law.
In our series of events to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, we looked forward from talking about Gender Based Violence to supporting practical steps which individuals and organisations can make to challenge and take action against it.
In this session Carol Withey explained the offence of rape and sexual assault, with reference to some main cases on consent and sexual touching, which will provide illustrations of the law.
The law is important in our daily lives, we are required to abide by its body of rules and regulations, yet surprisingly, we are never taught what it is. Law is not a main curriculum subject in school. Criminal law is an enormous area of law and there are many misconceptions about our criminal offences. This is especially so in the area of sexual offending, where confusion often blurs the legal parameters of our many sexual offences. Rape myths are prevalent and reinforce the gap between legal reality and fiction.
There have been many interventions to tackle sexual offence and rape myth culture. One failing is to divorce these myths from the law. Rape myths do not exist in a void; many are directly related to the law. When an understanding of the law is gained it clearly defines the parameters of sexual offending, enabling victims to identify they are victims, empowering them to report a complaint, which they know to be legitimate. Offenders may also be deterred from offending behaviour.
Carol is a barrister and Principal Lecturer in Criminal Law at the University of Greenwich. Carol's articles on sexual offending have been published in national and international law journals.
Watch the Session Recording
Please note that subtitles are currently being reviewed for accuracy and will be updated over the next few days.
Find out more about Gender Based Violence
Gender-Based violence refers to harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender. It is rooted in gender inequality, the abuse of power and harmful norms. You can read more about Gender Based Violence from the Women's Staff Network.
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