JFJ supports Hanna’s call for a redefinition of sex and rape to protect boys and men | News

Human rights lobby Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is calling on parliamentarians to support opposition MP Lisa Hanna’s proposal to amend the law and redefine rape to protect men and boys.

According to the law, only a woman can be raped because sex is defined as the penetration of the penis into the vagina.

When Hanna introduced a motion by a congressman in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, she pointed out that current law perpetuates inequality in response to sexual violence.

“Under our law, only a man can rape a woman and a man cannot be raped by either a man or a woman. This presents us with a legislative dilemma and creates unfair legal consequences for the way we deal with rape in Jamaica,” she said. “Our legal definitions have remained unchanged for centuries; many boys and men who have been or are being raped or sexually abused by men and women continue to suffer in silence.”

Hanna, a member of parliament, said society must “recognise and confront the fact that many of our boys and men are being raped and continue to be raped, and we need to change the laws to give them redress and equality”.

JFJ agrees, pointing out that men and boys are not recognised as rape victims under the Sexual Offences Act and women and girls enjoy less protection when it comes to forced anal penetration.

“The inequality in the law is not only that rape is not treated in a gender-neutral way, but also that there is no equal protection for equally traumatizing and hurtful acts. How can forced penetration between the penis and vagina be punished with a life sentence while forced anal penetration is punished with only a maximum sentence of ten years? In addition, forced penetration with an object can be punished with a higher sentence as part of aggravated sexual assault,” it said in a statement on Friday.

It continues: “JFJ has noted public confusion regarding the applicability of the aggravated assault provision. To be clear, aggravated sexual abuse does not adequately address the issue of anal penetration as one might assume. It protects against penetration by objects and other body parts, but only covers penetration of the penis when it occurs in the mouth.

The group said it was “disappointed” that a joint parliamentary select committee had not adopted recommendations to change the definition of rape to include forced anal sex. “Instead, they have proposed a referendum on sodomy, thereby shirking their legislative duty. Shifting the burden of deciding on sodomy to the general population through a referendum is an act of legislative cowardice.”

“Parliament must act decisively to educate the public and define rape correctly, rather than spreading ignorance,” said JFJ.

The organization also reiterated its call for the repeal of the sodomy law.

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