Sexual Offences: Law and Context

Sexual Offences: Law and Context presents the substantive law governing sexual offending in England and Wales in its socio-legal and historical context. It outlines the complexities of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, associated pieces of legislation and the common law offences in a clear, linear narrative.

The book highlights and discusses key themes in the contemporary law including rape and consent, sexual offences against children, abuse of people with mental disorders, pornography offences, and prostitution. It offers a critical discussion of challenges for the law and potential ways forward for the future.

Designed to be a comprehensive overview, Sexual Offences: Law and Context will be an invaluable resource for students of law and criminology taking courses on sexual offences or pursuing research in this area.

Introduction 1. Social Responses and Criminalisation 2. The Female, the Male and the Child 3. Consent and Sexual Offences 4. Sexual Offending Against Children 5. Offences which Reflect an Imbalance of Power 6. Regulating Sexual Behaviour 7. Pornography 8. Prostitution 9. The International Perspective 10. Protecting the Public The Way Forward