Now even rape is ‘gender neutral’

First, a warning. This is one of those articles where I use the word ‘penis’ a lot. Yes, another one. No, I don’t enjoy it much either, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. Sorry.

Now, some law. Specifically, the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Among other things, it defines the crime of rape, in Sections 1 and 5.

Section 1: A person (A) commits an offence if—

a) he intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person (B) with his penis,

b) B does not consent to the penetration, and

c) A does not reasonably believe that B consents.

Section 5: A person commits an offence if—

a) he intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person with his penis, and

b) the other person is under 13.

You might be aware that rape convictions are at grimly low levels and that the HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate is warning that the criminal justice system is failing to deal properly with many cases where rape can reasonably be thought to have taken place.