Parliament Workbench
Data: Official Report to 12 Nov 2026

Official Report · Committee

New Petitions

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (PE885)

Wednesday 5 October 2005 Public Petitions Committee Petitions 5 contributions · 3 speakers

Speakers

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The record

5 contributions
Michael McMahon Lab The Convener · Hamilton North and Bellshill
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Petition PE885, which was submitted by Mark McCabe, calls on the Scottish Parliament to amend Scots criminal law relating to sexual offences to create a statutory offence of male rape in line with the rest of the United Kingdom and Ireland and to ensure that no offences may be committed exclusively by gay men and that all sexual offences apply equally to everyone, whether man or woman, gay or straight. Before being formally lodged, the petition was hosted on the e-petitions website where, from 2 August 2005 to 30 September 2005, it gathered 68 signatures. The usual e-petition briefing has been circulated. Do members have views?

Jackie Baillie Lab Dumbarton
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I understand that the Scottish Executive has asked the Scottish Law Commission to consider a comprehensive review of the law in relation to rape and other sexual offences. I think that a discussion paper will emerge towards the end of this year, with a view to publication of a report in 2007. Given that the scope of that review is likely to cover the subject that the petitioner talks about, it would be useful if we were to write to the Scottish Law Commission and the Scottish Executive for an update.

Sandra White SNP Glasgow
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Jackie Baillie is right. The petition is interesting. I had not realised that inequalities existed in sex crimes, not just here but in England and Wales. I am glad that the Scottish Law Commission is considering the issue and I hope that section 61 of the proposed draft criminal code will change the law. I agree with Jackie Baillie's suggestion. We should ask for feedback and keep the petition alive.

Michael McMahon Lab The Convener · Hamilton North and Bellshill
link

Are we happy to do that?Members indicated agreement.

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