Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2019

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

A sexual offence case can be more protective of complainants under this proposal. It would let a complainant be heard and legally represented when a defendant asks to bring in evidence about the complainant’s past sexual history or what they were wearing at the time, and it tightens the rules so that such evidence or questioning generally needs the judge’s permission. The aim is to reduce humiliating or irrelevant questioning while still letting a judge allow it where needed for a fair trial.

Formal long title

Bill entitled An Act to amend the Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1981 (as amended) to enable complainants to be heard and legally represented in relation to applications to adduce evidence about the clothing worn by a complainant at the time of the alleged offence; to amend the provisions in respect of previous sexual history evidence and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 14 November 2024