Infanticide Act 1938
The Infanticide Act 1938 was one of two pieces of inter-war legislation that established, and refined, the offence of infanticide within the criminal law in England and Wales. Under the Act, where a woman was found to have been responsible … Read more
R v Bourne (1938)
R v Bourne [1938] was a landmark case for defining grounds for abortion and therefore extending its legal availability to more women. The case under scrutiny – a termination performed on a girl of 14 who had been gang-raped – … Read more
Intoxicating Liquor (Sale to Persons Under Eighteen) Act 1923
The Intoxicating Liquor (Sale to Persons Under Eighteen) Act 1923 introduced the principle that people should be aged 18 to drink alcohol in bars and pubs. Before this, a person had to be 14 years old to buy and drink … Read more
Criminal Law Amendment Act 1922
The Criminal Law Amendment Act 1922 extended legal protections for children throughout the United Kingdom in relation to sexual activity, addressing significant gaps in the 1885 Act of the same name. The earlier Act had raised the age at which … Read more
Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016, Section 2
Section 2 of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 makes it a criminal office to disclose, or threaten to disclose, a photograph or film which shows, or appears to show, another person in an intimate situation.
Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015
The Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act is the first piece of legislation in the UK to specifically address violence against women as opposed to ‘domestic violence’ generally.
R v Nimmo and Sorley [2014]
R v Nimmo & Sorley was the first prosecution for online threats of sexual violence, death and gender-based abuse.
Concluding Observations of UN Committee against Torture regarding the Magdalene Laundries (2011)
In 2011, the United Nations Committee against Torture found that the Irish State had failed to protect girls and women who were involuntarily confined in Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries.
Policing and Crime Act 2009, Section 14
Section 14 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 created the offence of paying for the sexual services of a prostitute who has been exploited or subjected to force by someone else.
Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007
The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 seeks to protect individuals forced into marriage without their consent.
Islam v Secretary of State for the Home Department, R v Immigration Appeal Tribunal and Another, ex parte Shah (Conjoined Appeals) [1999]
For the first time the highest court in the UK recognised gender as a protected characteristic and women as a particular social group within the meaning of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, section 41
Section 41 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act restricts the use of sexual history evidence in rape trials.
R v Ahluwalia [1993]
R v Ahluwalia accepted Battered Women Syndrome as evidence to support the defences of diminished responsibility and provocation in homicide.
Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990, Section 5
Section 5 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 removed marital rape exemptions in Ireland.
Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985
The Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985 criminalised performing FGM on girls and women in UK.
Davis v Johnson [1978]
Davis v Johnson gave judicial recognition of domestic violence and enforcement of Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1976 against home-owners.
Sexual Offences Amendment Act 1976, Section 4
Section 4 of the Sexual Offences Amendment Act 1976 gave anonymity to complainants in rape cases.
The opening of the first Rape Crisis Centre (1976)
The first Rape Crisis Centre in North London offered sympathetic non-judgemental support, advice and information on police and legal procedures to rape victims.
Criminal Justice Act 1972, Section 25
Section 25 of the Criminal Justice Act 1972 removed all statutory gender discrimination in the rules for jury qualification, allowing women to be jurors on the same terms as men
The opening of the first Refuge (1971)
The first Refuge opened by Women’s Aid in Chiswick, London offered a place of security and shelter for women and children escaping domestic violence
Abortion Act 1967
The Abortion Act 1967 permitted abortion in England and Wales in certain circumstances.
The Committee on the Employment of Women on Police Duties, 1920
The Committee on the Employment of Women on Police Duties recognised that women could be sworn in as constables in the police forces of England, Wales, and Scotland.
Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885, section 5(1)
The Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 raised age of consent for girls to 16.
Gaol Act 1823
The Gaol Act 1823 regulated the management of gaols across England and Wales, providing regulations applying specifically to the circumstances of women prisoners
R v Jackson (1891)
R v Jackson abolished husband’s legal entitlement to compel a wife to live with him and to use physical force against her.
Sexual Offences Act 2003, Section 1
Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 widened the definition of rape.