Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice
Change the Sexual Offences Act so women can be charged with rape
Closed
478 signatures
What the petition asks
I would like the Government to change the law that rape exclusively involves the penis. This law from 2003 invalidates many and needs to be changed. Rape should cover any non-consensual sex, whether it involves a penis or not.
The legislation (Sexual Offences Act in 2003) describes how the act of rape occurs. The law defines rape as penetration with the penis, without consent. Other sexual acts not involving the penis can only qualify as sexual assault. This definition diminishes people's experience with ‘rape’ and invalidates those who have gone through this traumatic experience. Many men and women have been 'raped' by other women, and the law should reflect this.
Timeline
| 8 Mar 2022 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 8 Sep 2022 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
478
Status
Closed
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
8 Mar 2022
Closed
8 Sep 2022
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.