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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the rape laws in the UK are sexist and should be changed?

316 replies

StuartAteMyStrawberries · 07/02/2017 23:43

Only men can be charged with rape in the UK. Women can be charged with sexual assault but not rape.

AIBU to think this is outrageous and that anyone who has sex with another person is a rapist and should be charged as such?

It was legal for a man to rape his wife up until the 1990's and the law was rightly changed to make it a criminal offense. AIBU to think we should change the definition of rape so that women can be charged with it too?

OP posts:
NarkyMcDinkyChops · 07/02/2017 23:44

yabu.

Toxicity · 07/02/2017 23:45

Someone needs a biology lesson.

VladmirsPoutine · 07/02/2017 23:45

you are simply being unreasonable.

Original poster
StuartAteMyStrawberries · 07/02/2017 23:46

I mean if anyone dared to suggest that a man who forced his wife to have sex with him when she didn't want it before it was made illegal wasn't a rapist then they would be rightly torn a new one...

OP posts:
PenelopeParmesan · 07/02/2017 23:46
Hmm
Original poster
StuartAteMyStrawberries · 07/02/2017 23:46

Why do I need a biology lesson?

I think the definition of rape should change so it includes women too.

OP posts:
Fackorf · 07/02/2017 23:46

In UK law 'rape' requires that a penis is inserted into a person's body without their consent. Women don't have penises. Yabu.

isupposeitsverynice · 07/02/2017 23:46

Rape is literally penetrating someone with your penis against their will. It physically cannot be committed by a woman. There are other existing laws about other types of sexual abuse.

Original poster
StuartAteMyStrawberries · 07/02/2017 23:47

But the definition of rape should be changed.

OP posts:
JassyRadlett · 07/02/2017 23:47

Yes, of all the issues around how sexual assault cases are treated in the criminal justice system, this is the fucking outrage. Of course.

TheSparrowhawk · 07/02/2017 23:48

You're an idiot.

JassyRadlett · 07/02/2017 23:48

But the definition of rape should be changed.

I think the definition of 'apples' should be changed. I think it should mean 'fruit that grows on orange trees'.

Original poster
StuartAteMyStrawberries · 07/02/2017 23:48

If the definition of rape was changed so that it was simply having sex with someone without their consent then women could be charged with rape too.

OP posts:
corythatwas · 07/02/2017 23:48

"anyone who has sex with another person is a rapist and should be charged as such?"

I take it this was not what you intended to say?

nancy75 · 07/02/2017 23:48

What about women that do have a penis? Is the law that rape can only be commuted by a man or by a penis ( there are trans women that are recognised as women legally that still have a penis)

FloraFox · 07/02/2017 23:49

Yabu. Rape is a crime committed by men using their penis. It's a very specific offence. There are other offences for sexual assault by penetration with an object or sexual assault without penetration.

ScarlettFreestone · 07/02/2017 23:50

Why does it need changed?

If a man attacks someone and penetrates them with his fingers/an object then it's classed as sexual assault rather than rape.

If a woman attacks someone and penetrates them with her fingers/an object then it's equally classed as sexual assault.

There's no sexism here.

Original poster
StuartAteMyStrawberries · 07/02/2017 23:50

In other countries rape is defined as having sex with someone without their consent. Women are also charged with rape in other countries.

OP posts:
FloraFox · 07/02/2017 23:51

A male trans person would be convicted of rape if there was penetration with a penis.

Original poster
StuartAteMyStrawberries · 07/02/2017 23:51

cory obviously not - meant anyone who has sex with someone without their consent is a rapist.

OP posts:
Original poster
StuartAteMyStrawberries · 07/02/2017 23:53

I'm a bit Hmm and Confused by some of these comments tbh.

Would you tell a woman whose husband had had sex with her without her consent before 1991 that she hadn't been raped because it wasn't classed as rape back then?

OP posts:
Anon1234567890 · 07/02/2017 23:54

Being the victim of a female rape, I agree with the OP that the law needs to be changed. No one believed me, I had 2 mental breakdowns, became an alcoholic, depression, panic attacks, acrophobia and continued abuse from the abuser for a decade has destroyed my life. The most common response is "that's not even possible". I can assure you it is.

Original poster
StuartAteMyStrawberries · 07/02/2017 23:54

In the US women can be charged with rape. Why is the UK law so specific?

OP posts:
JassyRadlett · 07/02/2017 23:55

If the definition of rape was changed so that it was simply having sex with someone without their consent then women could be charged with rape too.

What are the statistics on sexual assault convictions that would have been rape convictions if rape was defined the way you prefer? What is the scale of the issue?

WaryMary · 07/02/2017 23:56

Would you tell a woman whose husband had had sex with her without her consent before 1991 that she hadn't been raped because it wasn't classed as rape back then?

What a ridiculous thing to say, nobodies saying that

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