Laws Regarding Rape

Laws Regarding Rape

Rape is a type of sexual assault initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by force or, where the person is under threat or manipulation, or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. It is the name of a statutory crime in jurisdictions such as England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, California, and New York, and is a legal term of art used in the definition of the offence of sexual violation in New Zealand. Some countries have changed the crimes that were previously covered by rape, to the term sexual assault, including Canada.

Definitions of "rape" vary, and though rape is usually dependent upon on whether or not consent was present during the act, the term "consent" varies as well. Minors, for example, are often considered too young to consent to sexual relations with older persons (see statutory rape and age of consent). Consent is also considered invalid if obtained under duress, or from a person who does not have the ability to understand the nature of the act, due to factors such as young age, mental disability, or substance intoxication.