AC1.2

• Definition:Adultery

  Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse
• Legality in the UK: Adultery

  Not considered a criminal offence but may have legal consequences in divorce proceedings.
• Cultures where legal: Adultery

  UK and all other European countries
• Culture where illegal: Adultery

  Many Islamic governed countries such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

  
  

  Almost half of USA consider it a crime but in most only a minor offence.
• Why the law varies:Adultery

  
  

  Religion: the Bible states that adultery is a sin

  Status of women: may be treated like property by their husbands

  Politicians: may not wish to be seen opposing moral laws so are reluctant to revoke them.
• Definition: Honour crimes

  Crimes where the accused has brought shame on their family.

  
  

  Can include killings for conduct such as refusing arranged marriage.
• Legality in UK: Honour crimes

  Such actions are crimes and if a killing is involved it is murder
• Cultures where legal: Honour crimes

  Most honour crimes take place within South Asian and Middle Eastern families
• Cultures where illegal: Honour crimes

  UK, Europe, USA, Pakistan etc.

  
  

  The issue is usually one of evidence
• Why the law varies: Honour crimes

  Such crimes are thought to have originated from tribal customs, where an allegation against a woman can damage a family's reputation.

  
  

  None of the world's major religions condone honour crimes but perpetrators have sometimes tried to justify their actions on religious grounds
• Definition:Homosexuality

  Characterised by sexual attraction between people of the same sex
• Legality in UK:Homosexuality

  It was illegal but was partially decriminalised in 1967 with the age of consent.

  
  

  Initially, civil partnerships were allowed and now same-sex marriages can also take place
• Cultures where legal: Homosexuality

  UK, Europe, USA and Canada
• Cultures where illegal:


  HomosexualityIndia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen and Nigeria
• Why the law varies: Homosexuality

  Religion: the Bible says that homosexuality is a sin

  Taboo: against the norm, resulting in intolerance or prejudice.
• How do laws change over time?

  The definition of crime changes to reflect society's changing norms and values.
• Homosexuality: changes over time

  • In the UK, all homosexual acts between men were made a crime in 1885, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
  • However, homosexual acts between males aged 21 or over were decriminalised in England and Wales in 1967. The age of consent was reduced to 18 in 1994 and then 16 in 2000
• Homosexuality: reasons why the law changed

  • The Wolfenden Report
  • After WW2, there was an increase in prosecutions of gay men and by 1954 over 1,000 were in prison.
  • Following several trials, the government set up a committee to consider reform of the law.
  • After gathering evidence from police, psychiatrists, religious leaders and gay men, the committees report published in 1957 recommended that homosexual acts in private between consenting adults over 21 to be legalised.
• Homosexuality: reasons why the law changed

  • Campaigns
  • The Homosexual Law Reform Society, made up of leading public figures, successfully campaigned for the change in law that legalised gay sex in 1967. Further campaigns by Stonewell led eventually to equalising the age of consent at 16.
• Homosexuality: reasons why the law changed

  • Poloticians
  • E.g. Roy Jenkins supported the campaign for change and as Home Secretary he introduced the necessary legislation in 1967.
  • Others since have have introduced further legislation such as the 2010 Equality Act which outlaws discrimination of grounds of sexual orientation.