Newshub18 :Australia’s rape law is changing at the hands of that woman.
In the year of 2013. Saxon Mullins was 16 years old in Sydney, Australia. He made allegations of rape against one person that year. The matter was taken to court. But in the end the verdict went against Mullins. The court said the accused did not understand that Mullins did not agree with the body at allFive years have passed since that incident. Despite Mullins losing the court ruling, the state of New South Wales has reformed rape laws. That being said, in the case of a physical relationship, one must consent verbally or otherwise. This is called the ‘yes consent’ law.
Defendants wanted to prove in court before the law was amended earlier this month that they thought the plaintiff had consent during a physical relationship. However, from now on, if someone is silent during sexual intercourse, it cannot be assumed that he has consent. He has to make it clear by saying ‘yes’ verbally.
When Mullins’ case was in court, the defendant might have been sentenced if the new law had existed. According to Mullins, the law has brought “at least some justice” to many people. “It’s a recognition,” he said. What happened was bad. And that’s why we’re seeing change. ”
Five years in court
Saxon Mullins feels that it is his responsibility to prove in court that he did not consent to the incident in 2013 or ask the accused to stop. Mullins told the jury that he wanted to go back to a friend inside the nightclub, and the man became “frustrated” and “aggressive” when he heard that. He was scared. Couldn’t figure out what to do. So he acted on the words of the accused.
The jury sentenced the accused to five years in prison. However, he appealed against the verdict. This time a judge was in charge of the trial. The man was acquitted after a second round of hearings.
Mullins was sitting three chairs away from the accused in court that day. After hearing the verdict, he hugged his mother and cried. In Mullins ’words,‘ I felt personally hurt by the verdict. The mind was saying, this is me, whom no one believed. ‘
After acquitting the accused, Mullins’ lawyers went to appeal again. However, the court ruled that the man should not be tried again. Because, in the meantime, he was imprisoned for 10 months, and five years have passed since the 2013 incident.
Mullins, angry at the court’s decision, decided to protest. In 2016, he revealed his story on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s ‘Four Corners’ program. At the time, the issue was widely reported in Australia.
Reform can be ‘revolutionary’
New South Wales introduced the Yes-Yes Consent Bill last November. The law was passed in early June. The province of Victoria has promised to follow suit. And the province of Tasmania changed the law about 20 years ago.
Nikita White, a spokeswoman for Amnesty International, said Australia was at the forefront of rape law. In several states in the United States, including France, Japan, and New York, rape is still defined as a threat of coercion or coercion during sexual intercourse.
In the words of Nikita White, ‘What has happened in New South Wales is truly revolutionary. This will have a big impact, especially in the countries around Australia. Other countries in the world must also look at us. ‘
Concerns of critics
Some feel that the rape law reform in Australia has set a dangerous precedent. According to them, under the new law, a person can give consent during a physical relationship but can refuse it at any time later. And consenting to the physical once does not mean that he will consent at another time.
According to the New South Wales Bar Association, the new law would also criminalize “intimacy that is not a problem, especially those that are about mutual respect”. Many again say that disgruntled ex-partners can try to take revenge by abusing this law.
According to Margaret Cannon, a well-known Australian lawyer, those accused of rape will have to wait longer to prove their innocence through this law.
However, Saxon Mullins called many of these criticisms “irrational.” His comments shocked critics, especially lawyers, with the new law. Because, they have to work a little harder now.
Mullins said the law has been in effect in Tasmania for many years because of its benefits. And the physical relationships that are consensual do not go to court.
According to statistics, one out of every six women and one out of every 25 men are sexually abused. However, Australian authorities say most people do not report sexual harassment to the police. In only 10 percent of the cases brought against the accused was convicted.
New South Wales Attorney General Mark Speckman said the new law would be reviewed in three years. He also blasted the criticism of the law. He said reforming the law was a “common” issue.
It’s just the beginning
Saxon Mullins is quite happy after the rape law reform in New South Wales. “I can’t change what happened to me,” he said. But as a result of the new law, if it is closed in someone else’s case, it must have a value. I am proud. ‘
Mullins said he would not stop. Will work to reform rape laws across Australia. “It’s a big thing that the victims are getting justice,” he said. However, many are still being tortured. And that’s what we’re trying to do.