Draft Proposals To Revise Penal Code Cite New Criteria For Sexual Crimes
Japan's Justice Ministry has drawn up a set of draft proposals to revise the Penal Code to better deal with sexual crimes.
Ministry officials presented the draft to a panel of the Legislative Council on Monday. It spells out new specific elements for what comprise sex offenses.
Under the current law, lack of consent as well as assault or intimidation is among conditions that constitute forcible sexual intercourse and other crimes.
Victims of sexual offenses are calling for a review of such criteria. They say there are cases in which victims aren't able to resist because of fear, even without violence or intimidation.
The draft cites eight specific acts as criteria for recognizing crimes such as forcible sexual intercourse.
Besides assault or intimidation, they include "intake of alcohol and drugs," "giving no time to refuse," and "inciting fear or astonishment."
The draft says if such acts make it difficult for a victim to reject intercourse and other abuses, that is punishable as a crime.
The draft also calls for establishing new crimes concerning children as more fall victim to sexual abuse.
They include "grooming," or approaching children via social media and other means with an aim to psychologically control them for sexual exploitation.
Another is taking intimate or obscene photos without permission.
The draft also calls for raising the age of consent for sexual activity from the current 13 to 16.
Having sex with those under 16 will be regarded as a crime, with or without consent, except between those in the same age group.
Another proposal is to extend the statute of limitations for forcible sexual intercourse or indecency through compulsion.
The panel has been discussing the issue since October last year. Members plan to continue talks on the basis of the draft proposals.