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This petition was submitted during the 2019 to 2024 Parliament

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Closed Amend the law on rape to cover all non-consensual penetration of vagina or anus

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Change the Sexual Offences Act to include any penetration of the vagina or anus. Currently rape only covers using a penis without consent to penetrate the vagina, mouth, or anus of another person. This excludes other acts of penetration, and means women cannot be charged with rape.

There is more than the weight of sentencing, there is the weight in public opinion of how serious a crime is.

We believe the current definition of rape discourages victims of other non-consensual penetration to come forward, because other sexual offences can be regarded as less serious. This can increase the fears victims have of not being taken seriously.

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    This petition will stay open until 15 November 2023.