An analysis into the newly amended sexual offences, with specific regard to rape and defilement of minors

Abstract

As portrayed through the Istanbul convention, an extensive number of women and girls fall victims to sexual violence in particular rape and defilement of minors. Aiming to increase the protection afforded to such victims of sexual offences, national out-dated provisions have been eliminated from the Criminal Code, Chapter 9 of the Laws of Malta and were replaced by new provisions which mirror today鈥檚 reality more closely. Such amendments were triggered by the setting up of the Istanbul Convention. As a result of this international instrument, a local Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence Act was incorporated; this eventually led to the said amendments. These amendments encompassed most notably a revision of the prosecution procedures and punishments given for each sexual offence, while an emendation to the definitions of such crimes was also accomplished. Specific importance is drawn to gender based violence upon the recognition that women are affected disproportionally by such sexual violence.