Antiquated Sex Laws To Be Overhauled The Blair government is to finally publish radical plans to reform the laws on sex crimes.
The reform will be based on a paper published in 2000, called �Setting the Boundaries� which which proposed bringing in a specific offence of child abuse, sweeping away restrictions on homosexual indecency and reforming rape laws. Mr Blunkett said: "We are balancing the toughening of protection, particularly for children, while ensuring the law is fair and non-discriminatory and reflects the 21st rather than the 19th century view of social policy." David Blunkett, the Home Secretary has not confirmed which areas of the document will be adopted. But options expected to be included involve a a significant relaxation of laws on gay sex by abolishing the offences of buggery, gross indecency and soliciting by men the so-called "cottaging'' laws. The Home Secretary has made it clear the legislation will modernise offences that in some cases date back to the 19th century. In future, sex offences would be "non-discriminatory", said the government, indicating that restrictions on certain homosexual behaviour are to be lifted. For example, public shows of affection by homosexuals, forbidden under legislation dating to the Napoleonic wars and carrying a theoretical maximum sentence of five years, are likely to be made lawful. Among the laws to be scrapped could include one which makes it illegal for two men to engage in sex in a hotel bedroom and another which criminalises consensual gay group sex. Other areas to be addressed include the prostitution laws, a new definition of consent in rape cases and the introduction of a new �adult sexual activity with a child� offence. The long awaited legislation will be introduced in the next session of parliament. The Government is slated to produce a White Paper in the autumn, followed by a Bill. Source: http://uk.gay.com/newsfeatures/131 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
