Since the Sexual Offences Act 2003 came into force

on 1st May 2004, rape has legally been defined in the

UK as the penetration with a penis of the vagina, anus

or mouth of another person without their consent.

 

The Act describes penetration of another person's vagina,

mouth or anus with any part of the body other than

the penis or any object without their consent, as 'sexual

assault by penetration', which can carry the same

sentences as rape.

 

The overall definition of sexual or indecent assault is an act of physical, psychological and emotional violation, in the form of a sexual act, inflicted upon someone without their consent. It can involve forcing or manipulating someone to witness or participate in any sexual acts.

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Rape within relationships

 

Everyone has the right to say 'no' to sex, to withdraw or withhold their consent for any sexual act, on any occasion and under any circumstances, regardless of whether they've given consent to sex with that person in the past and regardless of whether they're in a relationship with the other person. Sex without consent is rape.

 

There are many reasons why a woman or man might stay in an intimate relationship that is violent or abusive, including fear, shame and self-blame, concern for their children and hope that their partner's behaviour might change. Staying in a relationship that involves or has involved sexual violence does not mean someone is 'weak' or any less deserving of specialist support and justice than someone raped in any other kind of circumstance.