In Section 128 of the Crimes Act 1961, the law states that women can not rape, and more specifically, a man can not be raped by a woman. This section states, “Person A rapes person B if person A has sexual connection with person B, effected by the penetration of person B’s genitalia by person A’s penis…”

We aim to change the definition of Rape to be more universal and accepting. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of rape is: 

"unlawful sexual activity and usually sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against a person's will or with a person who is beneath a certain age or incapable of valid consent because of mental illness, mental deficiency, intoxication, unconsciousness, or deception"

Our mission is to create change in the Crimes Act 1961 by redefining rape in New Zealand to be more inclusive. Currently, men and women who were 'raped' by a woman are told they were victims of "unlawful sexual connection"; however, this can be extremely dehumanising and harm the victims' mental health if they are told that what happened to them isn't considered Rape in this country. The definition of rape, it is not the action only a man can do; anyone can rape. At this point, Sweden, the United States, South Africa and Bhutan have used the term 'rape' as gender neutral in their legislation. This is why New Zealand's law should be changed, and the word rape should become a gender neutral term. 

For more information, visit: https://sites.google.com/view/make-rape-gender-neutral-nz/home

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