Research papers. Law. LL.B. (Hons.) (Victoria University of Wellington) Available for loan from Victoria University Library.

This research paper examines the rationale behind the proposed reform of the Crimes Act (1961) relating to sexual offences. It considers gender neutrality and argues that this is important due to the increasing number of sexual offences committed by women. The author argues that rape should be kept a separate crime to sexual violation, and remain only a crime for males to commit (even though this clashes with the principle of gender neutrality) as the history and meaning of the word 'rape' are still important in contemporary society. The author recommends that the language used in the proposed reform be changed.