An Australian state has introduced new sexual consent laws, which now include a definition of the act of “stealthing” as rape and tougher sentences for offenders.
Revised Queensland laws came into force on Monday, which aim to improve “the experience” of victims of sexual offences when they are ready to make the brave decision to come forward and make a complaint.
Among the reforms is that the act of “stealthing” is now a criminal offense, which can result in a maximum sentence of life in prison. Yahoo reported.
‘Stealthing’ is when a sexual partner secretly removes the condom during sex without the knowledge or consent of the other party involved.
Recognising theft as rape brings Queensland in line with most other Australian states and territories, including Victoria, the ACT, South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales.
The official definition of consent has also been revised as part of the changes.
Previously it was defined as “something given freely and voluntarily by a person with the cognitive capacity to give it.”
But now the word “given” has been replaced by “agreed.”
Queensland has introduced a new set of laws on sexual consent, including recognising “stealthing” as rape (file image in picture)
Stealthing is when a sexual partner removes a condom during intercourse, but does not tell the person they are having sex with (pictured, a condom).
Queensland Minister for Health and Women Shannon Fentiman previously told media the state is committed to holding sex offenders to account.
“We know that non-physical violence is just as dangerous as physical violence,” he said.
‘Coercive control is also the biggest predictor of intimate partner homicide. That’s why we’ve taken strong action to make coercive control a criminal offence in Queensland.
‘Reforms to consent laws seek to improve the experience of victims of sexual crimes when they make the brave decision to come forward and hold their perpetrators to account.’
Ms Fentiman also weighed in on the new stealth reforms.
“It is a violation and should be treated as such under the law,” he said.
The Hear Her Voice final report of the Women’s Safety and Justice Task Force recommended 188 legal reforms, including a review of consent laws.
The new bill was developed in consultation with many stakeholders, including anti-sexual violence agencies.
Queensland Minister for Health and Women Shannon Fentiman pledges to hold perpetrators accountable
The Queensland government will spend $225 million to implement the recommendations, including a major IT upgrade at 81 courts across the state to assist with victim testimony.
Townsville’s 24-hour sexual assault response team is to be expanded to two more locations.
The reform was introduced after Queensland, along with New South Wales, recorded the largest increase in sexual assault victims in 2023, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Queensland saw a 14 per cent annual increase to 1,011 victims, while sexual assault victims in New South Wales rose 19 per cent to 2,296.
Nationwide, there were a staggering 35,138 victims.
Women accounted for 84 percent – or 30,466 – of victims nationwide.
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