Petition · past parliament
Criminalize Rape
Rejected
12 signatures
What the petition asks
Under the UK legislation (Sexual Offences Act 2003), if a woman subjects a man to coercive sexual intercourse by what is known as "forced-to-penetrate", this is not classified, under law, as rape. However, it is rape: its method is the same as rape and its outcome for the victim is the same.
The issue of forced-to-penetrate has been studied by researchers. See report here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-49057533
Because forced-to-penetrate is not classified as rape, this means rape of a male victim by a woman is, in effect, decriminalized under UK law. Those those who commit this crime are not held to account.
It is important that a society not excuse rape; should hold rapists to account; and rape victims not be blamed. Yet current legislation does this to men who are raped.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-49057533
Because forced-to-penetrate is not classified as rape, this means rape of a male victim by a woman is, in effect, decriminalized under UK law. Those those who commit this crime are not held to account.
It is important that a society not excuse rape; should hold rapists to account; and rape victims not be blamed. Yet current legislation does this to men who are raped.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
Timeline
| 14 Apr 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 19 Apr 2021 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
12
Status
Rejected
Rejected
19 Apr 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.