Petition · Home Office
Change the legal definition of Rape to allow women to be charged with rape
Closed
252 signatures
What the petition asks
Amend the current legal definition of rape to allow for women to be charged with it, rather than just men as is the current situation laid out by the Sexual Offences Act.
If this government is dedicated to equality, then I believe it should amend the legal definition to allow all sexes to be charged with rape. I believe the implication the current definition has, i.e. that women can not commit rape, is damaging to the idea of gender equality and changing it would symbolise significant progress in this area. Of course women can be charged with other offences, but I think the current inequality in terminology is a slap in the face to male victims.
Timeline
| 21 Jan 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 21 Jul 2025 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
252
Status
Closed
Department
Home Office
Opened
21 Jan 2025
Closed
21 Jul 2025
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 7 Aug 2026.