'Rape' to be made gender-neutral, to be replaced with 'sexual assault'

**frostyboy** · 18th-March-2010

From The Times of India:

'Rape' to be made gender-neutral, to be replaced with 'sexual assault'

The government has decided to amend the Indian Penal Code (IPC), replacing the word "rape" with "sexual assault" in the existing law in order to broaden the ambit of crimes covered under the sections and make the provisions gender neutral.

"The home ministry is working on a draft Bill. It will soon be brought in the public domain for detailed discussion over all the provisions relating to sections covering rape," said a senior home ministry official.

Making sexual assault "gender neutral" will imply that the relevant sections of IPC can be slapped on accused of any gender who has committed the crime.

"The provisions can be imposed on sexual crimes inflicted on women, men and children thus broadening the reach," said the official.

As per Section 375 of IPC, penetration is sufficient to constitute sexual intercourse necessary to the offence of rape but with the proposed replacements coming in, sexual assault will also cover crimes like sodomy, fingering, insertion of foreign object and other similar offences which do not come under the present definition of rape.

The move is seen as a way to harmonise the provisions of law to prevent sexual crimes among homosexuals as well. Insertion of such a provision assumes significance in view of the Delhi High Court order, which decriminalized sex between two "consenting" adults of the same sex last year.

The home ministry has also sought the views of the law ministry on the proposed amendment Bill.

According to the ministry's latest data, cases of child rape continue to rise as a total of 4,721 cases were registered during 2006, 5,045 in 2007 and 5,446 in 2008 across the country. The data also indicated that over two lakh women were victims of sexual crimes in the country during the period 2006-2008.

On an average, about 191 women every day were either victims of rape, sexual harassment or molestation in three years from 2006. The figures show that a total of 61,552 cases of rape were registered during 2006-2008 in the country.

While 19,348 cases were registered in 2006, the number rose to 20,737 in 2007 and to 21,467 in 2008.

**johnkimble1** · 18th-March-2010

Amazing how what is still basically a developing county receiving significant aid from the UK is so far ahead of us in many ways.

**Celtic Druid** · 18th-March-2010

As per Section 375 of IPC, penetration is sufficient to constitute sexual intercourse necessary to the offence of rape but with the proposed replacements coming in, sexual assault will also cover crimes like sodomy, fingering, insertion of foreign object and other similar offences which do not come under the present definition of rape.

I've posited previously the concept of 'engulfment' of the penis by the vagina without express consent (the man being forced or being incapacitated by drink, drugs etc) as being a viable inclusion as to what constitutes rape. I believe we need to break free from restrictive feminist ideas of rape as only being penetration, but engulfment also.

On an average, about 191 women every day were either victims of rape, sexual harassment or molestation in three years from 2006. The figures show that a total of 61,552 cases of rape were registered during 2006-2008 in the country.

Indian feminists would have you believe there's a rape epidemic in India. But look at the rape stats of 61,552 cases of rape in two years for a population of 1.17 billion people (estimate for July, 2009).

**PokemonMasterTrainer** · 18th-March-2010

Quote from Celtic Druid

I've posited previously the concept of 'engulfment' of the penis by the vagina without express consent (the man being forced or being incapacitated by drink, drugs etc) as being a viable inclusion as to what constitutes rape. I believe we need to break free from restrictive feminist ideas of rape as only being penetration, but engulfment also.

Indian feminists would have you believe there's a rape epidemic in India. But look at the rape stats of 61,552 cases of rape in two years for a population of 1.17 billion people (estimate for July, 2009).

If 191 women were raped everyday in India, how many women would that be by the year's end?

The 61,552 would be an epidemic if India was a country with a very small population (close to the 100,000 mark)

**Eidolon** · 22nd-July-2012

Celtic Druid-- I agree heartily including "engulfment" or similar terminology to free rape from the singular idea of "penetration." I had a long-time friend who was drugged and sexually assaulted by a girl at a party against his will and without consent. The wording of these laws absolutely need to state these crimes accurately to ensure victims can prosecute perpetrators.

**Celtic Druid** · 22nd-July-2012

Ultimately a distortion of the facts only impedes the necessary progress.

Quote from Eidolon

Celtic Druid-- I agree heartily including "engulfment" or similar terminology to free rape from the singular idea of "penetration." I had a long-time friend who was drugged and sexually assaulted by a girl at a party against his will and without consent. The wording of these laws absolutely need to state these crimes accurately to ensure victims can prosecute perpetrators.

Sure, the prevailing idea is that what a lucky fellow he was etc. Without a concept of crimes, punishment inherits a selfish and grounded mentality. Well, here's a major social newsflash, contrary to the sexist feminist propaganda that men are always 'up for it'. The majority of men, like women, require some foreplay and context to deliver the proverbial goods. And "engulfment" is really no different than penetration, for what is essentially two interlocking parts.

I'd hope integrity would always prevail beyond the necessity of the flesh. If not, we are surely doomed.