Those accused of rape must 'prove' to jury they had consent under new laws

A person accused of rape will have to prove to a jury how they believed they had consent to have sex, under proposals going to Cabinet today.

Under the law, it will no longer be enough for a man to stand up in court and say he believed he had consent to have sex with a woman in a rape trial. The change from the current situation where a man is not guilty of rape if he honestly believed that he had the consent of a woman was a recommendation from the Law Reform Commission on foot of a request by the Attorney General to examine existing rape law.

Anonymity for victims in all trials for sexual offences will be guaranteed and extended to additional offences specifically targeting vulnerable victims, including persons with mental illness or a mental or intellectual disability. This was a recommendation of the O’Malley Review of Protections for Vulnerable Witnesses in the Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual Offences conducted by an expert working group, led by Professor Tom O’Malley.

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Rape accused will have to show consent belief was ‘objectively reasonable’ under new reformsMinister for Justice Helen McEntee to seek Cabinet approval to overhaul laws on consent, knowledge and belief in rape cases Grey area here. Anybody can change their mind at any given time and turn it into an accusation. 2 rugby player's spring to mind. But the other side of the coin is some might use this change to try get their own way right from the start, which is worse A welcome change and breath of fresh air If I had any faith in the law, this might be welcome but Wikipedia will decide their sentence unfortunately
Source: IrishTimes - 🏆 3. / 98 Read more »

Proposed changes to laws surrounding consent in rape cases to be brought to Cabinet todayMcEntee is currently seeking approval to publish a general scheme of the bill and then begin drafting the proposed legislation. Her PR machine going mad. She's not only on holidays but also out on maternity leave. All trying to stay in the media
Source: thejournal_ie - 🏆 32. / 50 Read more »